The Charity Finance Directors' Group has set up a working party to address the problems thrown up by new HM Revenue & Customs software designed to improve corporate tax returns. HMRC will require all companies, including about 30,000 incorporated charities, to submit financial data using an online system called XBRL. But the CFDG fears the software will be costly and bureaucratic.

The Government is to accept a recommendation by the Law Commission that will make it easier for charitable trusts to pursue a 'total return' investment policy focused on increasing both income and capital value. A commission report of May last year recommended a new statutory provision to "make total return investment more easily accessible to charitable trusts with a permanent endowment". The Government plans to consult before legislating.

An 'unconference' for social entrepreneurs will be held in London from 13 to 15 May. Shine, set up by a consortium of social enterprise support organisations, will feature a 'many-to-many' networking system so that all attendees can speak on what interests them.