Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department is taking steps to improve the (a) quality and (b) comparability of impact reporting by charities in receipt of public grant funding.

DCMS is committed to comprehensive evaluation and impact reporting of our major grant funding programmes, including those delivered by charities. These evaluation reports are published on DCMS’ research page on GOV.UK.

Beyond impact reporting on DCMS’ own grant funding, we are working with civil society to improve the quality and comparability of data and evidence. One mechanism for this is the ‘Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ (‘the Charities SORP’) which ensures consistency and transparency across the sector, making charity accounts comparable, understandable and useful for donors, beneficiaries, and the public alike. The UK Charities SORP-making body has recently undertaken a public consultation on improvements to the Charities SORP which include improving information for beneficiaries, donors and the public about how charity resources are stewarded.

DCMS recognises the importance of good quality data and evidence on charities’ work, as well as the challenges charities can face in measuring and reporting on their impact. Through the Civil Society Covenant, published on 17 July, we will work in partnership with the sector to improve data collection and strengthen the sharing of information and best practice. This includes government making the data it collects more accessible and working with civil society organisations to improve transparency and accountability around the money they receive.