HMRC has conceded that zero-rating VAT should apply to pay-per-click (PPC) charity advertisements, but refuses to budge on VAT for search engine optimisation.

World Emergency Relief is holding a parallel World Cup tournament, right outside the gates of the South Africa stadia. The charity has published a film of the tournament alongside a series of short films documenting life "outside the stadium", which look at growing up in the townships, the local passion for football and the challenges facing South Africa.

Nick Hurd has leant his support to a new twitter topic aimed at thanking members of civil society. The minister made his comments in support of the launch of ThankQThursday, a creation of i-volunteer launched to help charities and individuals show their support for those within the sector.

Non-departmental public body and registered charity Becta is to close as part of the new government’s first round of spending cuts.