The National Autistic Society has revealed an annual surplus of £5.3m in its 31 March 2012 accounts, in keeping with its financial strategy of achieving a surplus each year.
The figure is slightly less than the £5.7m recorded during 2010/11, and is reduced to £3.3m after accounting for the impact of a further £1.9m increase to the FRS17 pension liability in respect of actual loses (again, down slightly from £4.9m in 2010/11 after the same deduction).
Combined voluntary income, activities income and investment income increased from £7.8m to £8.3m in 2011/12. NAS also continued to decrease its expenditure on charitable activities year-on-year, down by £0.6m (0.7 per cent) in the year to £82.6m from £83.2m in 2010/11 – a result which the organisation describes as reflecting its “commitment to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the NAS”.
Conversely, total income decreased by £0.8m to £90.5m, a 0.9 per cent drop from 2010/11’s £91.3m, while total expenditure was £85.2m, a decrease of £0.4m and a 0.4 per cent drop from £86.5m in the previous financial year.
NAS blames the reduction in income on a decrease in student numbers in its schools, the 6.7 per cent drop accounting for a £3.2m loss of income. But the charity states that this has been offset somewhat by an increase in its adult services, which are £1.7m up due to an increase in the number of outreach and supported living services.
Looking forward
The charity has five strategic aims for 2012-15. It wishes to deliver pioneering and outstanding person-centred education, training and support through every stage of their life; and to connect those with autism and their families via online community Network Autism.
NAS also plans to make the best autism practice possible available to carers; to improve access to specialised up-to-date information; and to make sure national and local policy reflects the needs and aspirations of people with autism and their families.
NAS further states that it intends to ‘comprehensively review’ its membership offer, with the intention of attracting many more supporters in the future.
