The Small Charitable Donations and Childcare Payments Bill 2016-17 has now finished its passage through the House of Lords. Having been certified by the Speaker as a Money Bill, there was no scope for any further amendments, and all four Lords stages took place in the same session.

The Lords raised similar arguments as in the past, namely about the extension of the Scheme to contactless payments, but not to cheques or text giving. Equally, while some suggested that the Gift Aid matching requirement remained an important anti-fraud measure, Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts (Con) criticised its continuation and the administrative burden that it created, particularly for smaller charities. Shadow business spokesperson Lord Stevenson of Balmacara also argued that there was little evidence to suggest that it would prevent fraud and error.

Lord Young of Cookham (Con), leading the debate, also announced that the Government was going to launch a communications effort to raise awareness of the scheme and hopefully improve take-up.

The Bill will now receive Royal Assent, with the provisions to be applicable from April 2017. We will continue to keep members up to date on opportunities to comment on further proposals and guidance relating to the Scheme.