{"alias":"newsItem","byline":"","standfirst":"Each year, we like to update you on the position of the UK HQ finances and announce the UK HQ membership fee for the upcoming year.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"fullWidth","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/17311/210510_squirrels_0329min.jpg","width":2000,"height":1334,"altText":"A young leader and Squirrel are playing with hoola hoops in a field.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EOver the last year, we\u2019ve experienced some challenges as we look to bounce back from the pandemic and get back working towards an ideal operating model.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s clear from our 2022 Census figures that the membership numbers are growing. However, forecasts are showing that it may take us longer than the three years estimated to reach our pre-pandemic figures.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ELast year, we took the difficult decision to sell Baden-Powell House and Scout Adventures Downe campsite. We announced our plans to retain 12 months of operating costs in our reserves to protect the movement against any future events, which could affect us in similar scale to the pandemic. This amounts to \u00A328 million.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019ve made sure that we\u2019re well placed to support the movement at a time when young people need us the most.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis was particularly evident in our support for those communities impacted most by the pandemic, offering a Recovery Fund for the past two years. This fund was made from the \u00A31.50 ring-fenced from the 2021-22 UK HQ membership fee, our collective fundraising efforts for Race Round the World and the generous support from The Pears Foundation.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOur priority has been to support you, our volunteers. We\u2019ve experienced some challenges, due to staff shortages and the difficult recruitment market, but our main priority has been to maintain and enhance our services and will continue to do so, as the movement bounces back.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe also set aside \u00A38 million to invest in delivering our Skills for Life plan, including targeting membership growth, particularly in the communities most affected by the pandemic.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOur three year projection of income, expenditure and net deficits shows that we\u2019re on course to balance our books and have a marginal surplus by 2025-26.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile this is good news, with inflation pressures our forecasts show that we need to prepare for rising costs, while still investing in attracting and retaining dedicated staff to support you in delivering our Skills for Life strategy.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/17310/male-leader-and-group-of-cubsmin.jpg","width":5000,"height":3333,"altText":"A group of cubs sat on a wooden floor indoors in a circle with their leader. They\u0027re having a discussion.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUK Headquarters Membership fee and support\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOur UK HQ membership fee is vital in covering essential ongoing costs to support the movement, such as helping to cover increasing operating costs to manage safety and safeguarding. The fee also goes to support services such as programme, volunteer training and insurance for all members. You can \u003Cspan\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-things-locally/finances-and-insurance/uk-headquarters-membership-fee/support-for-you/\u0022\u003Eview full details on how the fee is spent here\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn the last year (2022-23), we reduced the UK HQ membership fee, however given the financial outlook and uncertainty around cost pressures we\u2019re having to increase the fee slightly to \u00A336. This is significantly less than inflation, but helps towards those operational pressures. This amount will be \u00A335.50 if payment is made by 23 April 2023.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s also important to note that this fee relates to the services provided by the UK Headquarters.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEach Nation HQ, County/Area/Region, District and Group will be reviewing their own financial situation, so the amount you pay per youth member may differ. We\u2019re sure you\u2019ll hear about the membership fee you have to pay for your area soon.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhilst we\u2019re aware that increases are never positive, we\u2019ve taken every action to keep the increase as low as practical to keep Scouts as affordable for young people at a time that we know many parents/carers will be making difficult decisions about rising costs for food and fuel.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis increase is significantly below current inflation rates, but still helps contribute to our increasing running costs, so we can retain a stable financial position for the long term.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\u0022background: white;\u0022\u003EWe\u2019d like to send our whole-hearted thanks to every adult volunteer for the support and optimism you offer to Scouts. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan style=\u0022background: white;\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s a difficult time with rising costs affecting families and individuals across the UK. We\u2019re committed to continue to offer you support as volunteers, as well as offer our young people brilliant experiences and the opportunities to learn skills for life.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/17627/picture-1min.jpg","width":1384,"height":925,"altText":"A young Squirrel is roasting a marshmallow over a tea light and she is watching it very closely.","caption":"","link":null}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"02 August 2022","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Grants and funds for your local group","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-things-locally/grants-and-funds-for-your-local-group/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Where to apply for funding externally","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-things-locally/grants-and-funds-for-your-local-group/where-to-apply-for-funding-externally/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Grants from UK Headquarters","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-things-locally/grants-and-funds-for-your-local-group/grants-from-ukhq/","newWindow":true}],"relatedLinks":[],"id":50767,"nodeName":"Our finances and the membership fee for 2023-24","title":"Our finances and the membership fee for 2023-24","type":"newsItem","image":{"url":"/media/6490/fdl-homepage.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1d9becd0c842420","caption":"FDL Homepage","type":"jpg","size":93039,"width":1268,"height":664,"altText":"The Scouts Fleur in purple"},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Our finances and the membership fee for 2023-24","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"We announce our financial position and the UK HQ membership fee for 2023-24","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC81MDc2NyJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2022/august/our-finances-and-the-membership-fee-for-2023-24/"}