2024-12-31-accounts

England & Wales Charity Registration No. 1095234 Scottish Charity Register No. SC045533 Company Registration No. 04037610 (England and Wales)

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Trustees

Astrid Clifford (Chair) Neil Moulding (Honorary Treasurer) (appointed March 2025) Ashleigh Brown Daniel Dickson-Hope (appointed April 2025) Hannah Carter (appointed March 2025) Alan Tapp (resigned April 2024) Angela Williams (appointed February 2024, resigned May 2024) Dan Norris (resigned April 2025) John Hughes (resigned April 2024) Viktoria Petrova (resigned June 2025)

Senior Management Team Chief Executive

Chief Executive Emma Slawinski (appointed March 2025) Chris Luffingham (acting CEO April 2024 to March 2025) Andy Knott, MBE (resigned March 2024) Deputy Chief Executive Chris Luffingham Director of Operations Emma Smith (resigned November 2024) Director of Scotland & Northern Ireland Robbie Marsland Director of Finance Neal Soleil Director of People & Culture Kelly Hack

Company Secretary

Neal Soleil (appointed April 2024) Andy Knott, MBE (resigned March 2024)

Charity Number

1095234 04037610

Company Number 04037610 Principal and registered office New Sparling House Holloway Hill Godalming Surrey GU1 1QZ

Principal professional advisors

Auditor

Haysmacintyre LLP 10 Queen Street Place London EC4R 1AG

Bankers

The Co-Operative Bank Plc 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 1GP

Legal Advisors

Marshalls Solicitors LLP 102 High Street Godalming Surrey GU7 1DS

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THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Table of Contents

Trustees' report	2-28
Statement of Trustees Responsibilities	29
Independent Auditor's Report	30 - 32
Consolidated statement of financial activities	33
Consolidated statement of financial position	34
Charitable company statement of financial position	35
Statement of cash flows	36
Notes to the accounts	37-48

The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024. The statement of Trustees’ responsibilities on page 29 forms part of this report.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 of the accounts and comply with the Charity’s governing document, being its memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act 2006 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice, applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015), published on 16 July 2014.

Trustees have decided not to take advantage of the exemption from audit available under the Companies Act 2006 and have therefore been audited under both the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011.

For further information please refer to the League Against Cruel Sports Annual Review 2024

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THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

What we do

Animals are at the heart of everything we do. Here to stop animals from being persecuted in the name of sport, we strive to protect them from the horrific acts of hunting, shooting and animal fighting.

We know that every action brings us one step closer to ending cruel sports and our passion drives us forward. Together, with our committed supporters, we are working towards bringing about real change for animals across the UK. As a charity we want to redefine what is acceptable and inspire change. We do this by:

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THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

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THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

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Our strategic approach

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THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

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FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

What we said we would do and what we did

Each year we set our strategic priorities for the next 12 months. In this section we will cover what we achieved against our strategic priorities.

Goal One: End hunting with dogs

Secure manifesto commitments and policy positions from key political parties to strengthen the hunting ban in the lead up to the general election

On 22 May 2024, then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a snap general election for 4 July, catching many by surprise. But we were ready. Since the start of the year, we had been actively preparing our general election campaign, determined to secure key manifesto commitments and policy positions from all major parties.

In June, we were thrilled to see the Green Party commit to banning all blood sports, including trail hunting, in their manifesto. Their recognition of the urgent need to protect animals at risk from hunts was a vital win for wildlife. However, we were deeply disappointed by the Conservative manifesto, which failed to pledge any strengthening of the Hunting Act — despite our polling revealing 67 per cent of Conservative voters support tougher laws to protect animals from being chased and killed. Similarly, the Liberal Democrat manifesto made no mention of fox hunting, even though 78 per cent of their voters backed stronger hunting laws.

Our hope for meaningful change had been bolstered in February 2024, when Labour’s shadow environment secretary, Steve Reed MP, publicly committed to banning fox hunting outright. In June, the Labour Party pledged in its manifesto to ban trail hunting — a practice that has long been exposed as a “smokescreen” for illegal fox hunting.

While we welcome this progress, our fight is far from over. We continue to urge the Labour government not to delay in closing the many loopholes in the Hunting Act of 2004, as well as ending trail hunting as it promised during the election. We are calling for custodial sentences for those who chase and harm animals for sport, a position that is backed by 76 per cent of the public, including 85 per cent of Labour voters, according to polling conducted by FindOutNow and Electoral Calculus.

The new government has since reiterated that it is committed to banning trail hunting, telling Parliament that ‘work to determine the best approach for doing so is ongoing’, but our campaign to end this barbaric and cruel practice will not stop until every loophole is closed and animals are fully protected from these outdated and violent blood sports.

Produce the League’s public policy proposals on the Hunting Act for the next government to implement

As part of our general election campaign, we published a League mini manifesto containing our key election asks, which can be found here: league.org.uk/general-election/whats-wrong-with-hunting

Delivered to political parties and thousands of election candidates, our manifesto demanded urgent action to strengthen the Hunting Act 2004. We’re calling for an outright ban on trail hunting — a tactic often used to disguise illegal hunting — as well as the removal of exemptions that allow hunting to continue. Additionally, we’re advocating for custodial sentences for those who violate these laws.

To support these calls, we developed a comprehensive set of proposals detailing the necessary legal changes, backed by thorough analysis of their importance and feasibility. This equipped policymakers with the insights needed to make strong commitments during the election process. We engaged directly with key decision-makers, also submitting in-depth recommendations on issues like the use of cruel snare traps in the shooting industry.

Our momentum continued with a vibrant presence at the first political party conferences after the election. We set up exhibition stands at major party conferences, rallying support for our legislative goals. We also coorganised and participated in panel discussions, sharing the stage with Ministers and party representatives to emphasise the

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FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

urgent need for decisive action to end hunting with dogs once and for all. Together, we’re working towards a future where animal welfare is a priority.

Harness Welsh government support for strengthening the hunting ban to ensure trail hunting does not return to National Resource Wales land

Public Affairs in Wales has made significant strides, successfully ensuring that trail hunting remains banned on Natural Resources Wales land. Additionally, we’ve been proactive in briefing members of the Senedd on hunting-related issues in Wales. A highlight of our efforts was the Senedd reception in June, which celebrated the League’s centenary and coincided with the general election. During this event, members of the Senedd proudly posed for a photo to demonstrate their support for strengthening the Hunting Act.

This momentum was further fueled in November 2023 when Joyce Watson MS raised important questions with the then Minister for Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, regarding the Welsh Government’s stance on hunting. The Minister replied: “The Welsh Government does not have legislative competence over the Hunting Act 2004; it is a nondevolved issue and a matter for the UK Government. The Welsh Government would strongly support strengthening the Act to tackle its known deficiencies and enable it to succeed in preventing unnecessary and cruel hunting.”

Most recently, in September last year, Jane Dodds, the sole Welsh Liberal Democrat member of the Senedd, wrote to John Healey, the Secretary of State for Defence, urging the Ministry of Defence to ban trail hunting on Ministry of Defence land. This call to action stemmed from our thorough briefing to Senedd members following the UK general election. Jane Dodds expressed her support in local media, stating: “I am proud to back these proposals from the League Against Cruel Sports that call for a ban on trail hunting on land owned by the Ministry of Defence.”

This ongoing engagement highlights our commitment to advancing animal welfare in Wales. The full article can be read here: brecon-radnor.co.uk/news/jane-dodds-ms-joinscampaign-to-ban-trail-huntingon-mod-land-722634

Continue work in Scotland to record behaviour patterns of fox hunts who continue to go out drag hunting or flushing to guns with two or more dogs

The League’s Scotland investigation team remains vigilant, closely monitoring the hunting fraternity’s activities post-ban. While some hunts claim to be engaging in drag hunting, they’re still using fox hounds specifically bred and trained to chase foxes - raising serious concerns.

Others are pushing their luck, hoping to exploit loopholes and use more than two dogs under licence. Shockingly, one hunt last season didn’t even bother with a licence at all. After being caught on camera by our field workers, they now await the decision on whether they’ll face prosecution.

But we’re not stopping there. Our team will continue working closely with Police Scotland and the licensing authority, NatureScot, to ensure the new Act truly puts an end to hunting with dogs in Scotland - once and for all.

Gather evidence of the impact of fox hunts on wild animals and landowners to lobby politicians across the island of Ireland to support legislation to ban fox hunting

While the rest of the UK has made strides to outlaw hunting with dogs, Northern Ireland still lags behind with the pastime remaining legal. But that could change — and with our supporters we are making it happen. We’re calling on the public and political leaders in Northern Ireland to unite behind our campaign to finally ban fox hunting in the region.

In collaboration with the Ulster Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA), we launched our joint initiative — Together to Ban Hunting with Dogs — and momentum is building.

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT

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We were thrilled when John Blair MLA announced at Stormont his intention to introduce a new private member’s bill to ban hunting with dogs. This follows a previous attempt in 2021, when a similar bill was unfortunately blocked, despite indications of support from Sinn Féin leadership. Now, with the return of government in Northern Ireland, the debate is back on the table — and once again we can make sure our voices are heard.

In just the first week of our campaign with the USPCA, more than 2,000 supporters across Northern Ireland signed our petition, showing overwhelming public demand for change. The numbers continue to rise — now standing at more than 7,000.

In addition to what we said we would do, we also:

Unveiled our general election campaign

Our primary goal is to ensure that the laws protecting animals are as strong and effective as possible. Throughout the year, and especially during the general election campaign, we actively engaged with politicians across Westminster, Holyrood, Stormont, and the Senedd, pushing for vital changes that benefit animals.

Elections - whether local, devolved, or national - are a crucial opportunity to secure pledges from politicians to act on animal welfare. They also give the public a powerful moment to raise their voices and demand change. During the six-week general election period, we campaigned tirelessly to achieve one of our strategic priorities: to make this the last election where hunting is a matter of debate. Our aim was clear — to ensure that the next government commits to strengthening the Hunting Act 2004 and fully outlawing trail hunting, putting an end to this cruel practice.

We launched our campaign alongside our Time for Change Coalition Against Hunting partners, creating a striking visual presence outside Parliament. A digital ad van toured the streets of London, broadcasting the chilling sound of hounds in cry, alongside a video exposing trail hunting as a mere smokescreen for illegal fox hunting. To amplify our message, we hand-delivered thousands of signed postcards from our supporters to the headquarters of the three major political parties. This powerful action sent a clear message: voters and animal lovers across the country demand an end to the barbaric activity of fox hunting.

On 22 June we joined the Restore Nature Now march, where hundreds of our supporters, dressed as foxes, took to the streets of Westminster calling on the next government to clamp down on illegal hunting. Our large contingent of supporters demonstrated their passion and commitment to our cause.

Our supporter engagement was also at an all-time high. More than 24,967 campaign emails were sent to local candidates, urging them to take a stand on strengthening hunting laws. Our Time for Change Coalition Against Hunting petition garnered immense support, with almost 70,000 signatures backing our calls for change. To keep our supporters engaged and informed, we launched three special episodes of our Leaguecast podcast, highlighting our progress and efforts.

Digital campaigning was a key focus, with a powerful social media takeover that reached more than 60,000 people across two videos alone, featuring celebrity endorsements of our cause. We also hosted webinars on local and political campaigning, attended by more than 150 supporters eager to make a difference. Our candidate pledge survey was another success, with 305 candidates responding, including 33 who were later elected as MPs, pledging to support strengthening the Hunting Act.

Our new polling provided vital, constituency-specific insights, which helped us secure widespread local media coverage and further amplify the public’s demand for tougher hunting laws.

Continued our National Parks campaign

At the start of last year, we proudly launched the second phase of our national parks campaign, aiming to expose and challenge the use of public lands for hunting under the guise of trail hunting. Through our campaigning, we’re

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

pleased to report significant progress: eight out of the 13 national parks in England and Wales have taken a stand by banning trail hunting on their land, recognising it for what it truly is - a smokescreen for illegal fox hunting. Two additional parks, the Broads and Pembrokeshire, have no policy on trail hunting as it cannot take place due to their landscapes.

However, not all parks are standing up for wildlife. Exmoor and Dartmoor continue to support cruelty by allowing hunts to operate on their land, turning a blind eye to the chasing and killing of foxes, stags, and hares. This blatant disregard for wildlife and the law cannot go unchallenged. No hunts currently operate on Peak District land, but the park refuses to ban the sport as it is ‘legal’ - despite overwhelming evidence that it is nothing but a smokescreen for old-fashioned illegal hunting.

In the spring, we ramped up the pressure, delivering more than 30,000 campaign postcards to the authorities of Dartmoor, Exmoor, and the Peak District. These postcards, signed by members of the public, demanded an end to trail hunting. Our League’s ‘fox postie’ personally delivered mail sacks stuffed with these heartfelt pleas, showing that the public will no longer tolerate this cruelty.

Leading the way in this fight is North York Moors National Park, a true champion for wildlife with its zero-tolerance policy on hunting and wildlife crime. This is the level of protection the public expects from all national parks, and we are determined to ensure that the remaining parks follow suit.

Through relentless campaigning, we’ll continue pushing for Dartmoor, Exmoor, and the Peak District to stop turning a blind eye to the suffering on their land and commit to protecting the animals that call these national treasures home. We are also highlighting the impact of hunts on national park land – recently we received a report via our supporter-funded Animal Crimewatch service about a hunt taking place on Dartmoor. A family watched, horrified, as the hunt’s hounds went into cry and were obviously on the trail of a wild animal. They have vowed never to return to the area.

Said you can’t rebrand cruelty

As part of our ongoing fight against the cruelty of hunting, we launched a bold campaign in Peterborough to coincide with the rebranded Festival of Hounds (formerly the Festival of Hunting). Our campaign brought the League’s iconic fox mascot to local landmarks, where we engaged with the public and urged them to support our petition calling for stronger hunting laws. The message was clear: hunting is still a threat to wildlife, despite being banned nearly two decades ago, and it’s time for real change.

To maximise the campaign’s impact, we deployed a mobile digital billboard that toured Peterborough and the festival showground. The chilling sound of hunt hounds closing in on a fox played on loop, starkly reminding people of the cruelty still being inflicted on wildlife. We also amplified our message across social media, creating a mini campaign that featured two tongue-in-cheek ‘awards’ for the hunts with the highest suspected illegal activity, drawing public attention to the havoc these hunts continue to cause.

The rebranding of the event to the Festival of Hounds is nothing more than a public relations stunt attempting to sanitise the brutal reality of hunting. But the people of Peterborough saw through this, and many stood with us by signing our petition, making it clear that it’s time to strengthen hunting laws and permanently end this so-called sport.

Launched our Ministry of Defence campaign

Licences allowing trail hunting on Ministry of Defence (MoD) land were set for renewal by 1 September 2024, but the new Labour government had a chance to act before that deadline. Labour’s manifesto promised to end trail hunting, so we took immediate action, writing to the newly appointed Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, and Minister for Defence Procurement, Maria Eagle. We reminded them of the urgent need to follow through on their pledge by cancelling these licences, which would mark an important step in protecting foxes. Given that these licences are issued personally by the Secretary of State, renewing them would be a direct contradiction of Labour’s commitment to scrapping trail hunting altogether.

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

We also contacted Steve Reed, Secretary of State for the Environment, and together with our Time for Change Coalition Against Hunting partners, co-signed a joint letter to John Healey urging him to revoke the licences. Our campaign didn’t stop there. We rallied our supporters, with 4,960 people writing to John Healey to demand an end to trail hunting on MoD land. A follow-up action encouraged supporters to write to their MPs, with 1,389 more stepping up to take action. On 12 September, we were thrilled to see Labour make good on its promise, blocking 11 trail hunts from using government land.

The MoD confirmed that no new licences would be issued for the upcoming hunting season, and ministers are now reviewing ‘all options’ to deliver fully on their manifesto pledge. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation, the MoD’s estate management branch, issued a clear message to hunts: permission for trail hunting on MoD land has been indefinitely suspended pending further ministerial decisions. This decisive move is a huge victory for foxes and we’ll continue our campaign until it’s permanently banned.

Slammed trail hunting day as a smokescreen

On 14 September 2024, a so-called ‘trail hunting day’ organised by the hunting lobby turned into a stark reminder of why this activity is nothing more than a cover for illegal hunting. Despite being billed as a demonstration of legal trail hunting, nearly every hunt participating in the event had been accused/convicted of illegal hunting or causing chaos within local communities in their recent history. This so-called demonstration was a PR attempt by hunts to try and prevent Labour’s promised ban of trail hunting.

We’ve long known that trail hunting is a smokescreen, invented by hunts in the aftermath of the fox hunting ban to disguise the continuation of this cruel blood sport. Holding a demonstration of trail hunting doesn’t mean the practice is legitimate — far from it. Last season alone, we received nearly 1,400 reports of suspected illegal hunting or disruptive behaviour by hunts, showing just how widespread this problem is.

Even Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman, the country’s most senior police officer overseeing fox hunting crime, has acknowledged that trail hunting is a “smokescreen for illegal fox hunting” and described illegal hunts as “prolific” across the country.

To counter the misinformation surrounding trail hunting day, we launched a powerful awareness campaign, featuring a video hosted by wildlife campaigner and television presenter Chris Packham. The video shed light on the realities of trail hunting, highlighting its role as a sham designed to deceive the public. With a wide reach, the campaign helped expose the cruelty still taking place under the guise of trail hunting and urged the government to take firm action.

Shaped political debates

Hunting with dogs remained a key focus of our political engagement, supported by strong communications with MPs, government, and supporter activity, keeping the issue high on the agenda.

Early in the year, the then Shadow Environment Secretary, who now holds the position in government, used League-commissioned polling to highlight public support for strengthening the hunting ban among rural voters. Our election manifesto, provided to general election candidates, outlined calls for a tougher hunting ban, supported by detailed briefings to help candidates advocate for our proposals and address voter concerns. Comprehensive policy notes and advice provided high-level policymakers with the background needed to make credible manifesto commitments.

New polling revealed strong support for strengthening the hunting ban across Britain, enabling us to target candidates with localised information specific to their constituencies, influencing their positions. Post-election, our efforts have maintained political pressure, contributing to dozens of parliamentary mentions, including calls for a permanent ban on hunting on Ministry of Defence land, concerns about hunt impacts on communities, and requests for a strengthened legal framework.

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THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

We’ve kept MPs updated with regular briefings, marked the 20th anniversary of the Hunting Act with targeted materials, and contributed to Wildlife and Countryside Link’s influential annual wildlife crime report. Our activities included a House of Commons reception attended by cross-party parliamentarians, high-profile presence at party conferences with exhibitions and panel discussions, including in the run up to the election, and direct meetings with MPs and ministers, ensuring sustained momentum for ending hunting with dogs.

Raised awareness of the Police and Crime Commissioner elections

On 2 May 2024, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections offered a vital opportunity to influence policing priorities across the country. As elected representatives, PCCs play a crucial role in shaping law enforcement by setting priorities and holding the police accountable. They have the power to direct focus on issues that matter most to local communities, including tackling rural crimes such as hunting with dogs and other wildlife offences.

Recognising this, we launched a campaign urging our supporters to make their voices heard. We asked them to write to candidates in their area, calling for wildlife crime to be a central focus of the Police and Crime Plan if they were elected. The response was incredible — more than 3,000 supporters took part, generating an impressive 10,475 emails sent to PCC candidates across the country.

This collective action emphasised the importance of prioritising wildlife protection and tackling illegal hunting within local policing strategies. By engaging directly with candidates, we ensured that the message was loud and clear: the public demands stronger enforcement to protect animals and stop illegal hunting practices.

Campaigned against those in support of hunting

We publicly condemned former TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson’s brewery, Hawkstone, for sponsoring the point-topoint Cocklebarrow Races, which directly funds the Chipping Norton based Heythrop Hunt. The hunt employs Chris Woodward, who was convicted in late 2023 for offences linked to hunting, including ‘deliberately’ allowing hounds to chase a fox, admitting to riding his horse at a hunt monitor and threatening to kill him, and driving blocking a badger sett, thus preventing foxes from fleeing underground.

The veneer of respectability accorded to this fundraising event by hunt supporters masks a world of criminality and animal cruelty. The vast majority of the public are appalled by the brutal world of fox hunting and the attempts by fox hunts to deceive the public about their cruel activities are increasingly being exposed.

Last year we welcomed the decision by Chesterfield FC to cancel the planned Barlow Hunt Ball at their premises. The ball was planned to take place at the end of January 2024, but residents and football fans took to social media in their hundreds to express their outrage at the club for hosting the Barlow Hunt Ball. We also wrote to Chesterfield FC directly, asking them not to host the hunt’s ball.

In March last year, Channel 4 News broadcast a damning fox hunting report exploring a ‘secret protocol’ set up between Warwickshire Police and the Warwickshire Hunt after the shock removal of a Community Protection Notice served on the hunt because of its anti-social behaviour. We provided background information for the news piece and put them in touch with key people for the report. The piece tore apart the special arrangement made behind closed doors – described at one point as ‘a cosy backroom deal’ – and highlighted how it abandoned due process.

It also shone the spotlight on how prolific illegal hunting is in the UK, the anti-social behaviour associated with it, and the requirement for better transparency and training within the police force. The senior police lead on fox hunting crime, Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Matthew Longman, gave an interview during which he spoke about strengthening the Hunting Act. You can watch the news story here: channel4.com/news/fox-hunting-groupavoid-court-with-secret-police-deal

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FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Goal Two: end shooting of animals for sport

Continue to be a driving force in the REVIVE coalition that focuses on land reforms to benefit animal welfare, the environment and social justice in Scotland

REVIVE, the powerful coalition of animal welfare, environmental, and social justice organisations, continues to thrive. The coalition has already played a key role in protecting mountain hares, banning snares, and introducing the licensing of shooting estates. REVIVE is also shining a light on the questionable mass medication of wild grouse with unlicensed antibiotics — an issue that demands answers.

At REVIVE’s third national conference, more than 700 attendees came together in support of these causes. Looking ahead, the next conference will kick off The Big Land Question - a bold, two-year project leading up to the 2026 Holyrood general election. It asks critical questions: Why do just 433 people own more than 50 per cent of Scotland’s land, and why is so much of it dedicated solely to grouse shooting?

Continue to campaign for a full ban on snaring in Scotland, to be enacted in 2024

On 21 March 2024, Scotland took a monumental step forward for wildlife protection with the passing of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill. This groundbreaking legislation, which passed with an overwhelming majority (85 votes in favour, 30 against), will introduce stricter controls on grouse shooting and help combat the longstanding issue of illegal wildlife persecution on Scotland’s grouse moors.

For decades, the killing of Scotland’s iconic birds of prey has been tied to grouse moor management, a practice often dubbed a ‘national disgrace’. With the passage of this Bill, grouse moors now face the loss of their operating licences if any wildlife crime occurs on their land. It’s a powerful deterrent that promises to turn the tide on raptor persecution.

The Bill also addresses another key environmental concern — muirburn, the burning of heather on peatlands. These areas, crucial for carbon storage, will now see stricter regulations to protect one of Scotland’s most vital natural resources.

Perhaps one of the most crucial victories is the outright ban on snares. These cruel, indiscriminate traps have long been used by shooting estates to protect ‘game’, but they also cause horrific suffering to non-target species like badgers, hedgehogs, and even pets. This ban marks a major win for animal welfare and strikes a blow against an industry desperate to cling to outdated, inhumane practices.

While the Bill doesn’t yet go far enough to completely stop the killing on grouse moors, it represents a significant intervention in land management practices across Scotland. Regulating an industry responsible for so much environmental destruction is a critical step forward, and banning snares is a landmark achievement in the fight for a more humane future.

Gain Welsh government commitment to ban the caged breeding of game birds

The League is actively partnering with Animal Aid on a vital campaign aimed at ending caged game bird breeding. Recently, we contacted the Senedd Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, urging it to consider an inquiry into this pressing issue. This has stimulated discussion and correspondence on the issue, with indications that the topic could be included in the committee’s 2025 Spring work programme, though this remains to be confirmed. It has also provided both the disappointing confirmation that the government’s work to examine the issue has been paused, but an assurance that it is nevertheless still committed to restricting the use of cages.

We’ve sent detailed briefings to members of the Senedd, emphasising the Welsh Government’s commitment to ‘Restrict the use of cages for Farmed Animals’, a crucial aspect of its Animal Welfare Plan 2021- 2026. These briefings also address the government’s responses to questions about cage use, helping to clarify the pressing need for reform. We’re thrilled that Jane Dodds MS, a passionate advocate for animal welfare, has responded positively, confirming her commitment to championing our issues surrounding caged game bird breeding.

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

This year has been quite turbulent in Welsh Government, with three different First Ministers and significant changes in leadership. Huw Irranca-Davies has stepped in as the new Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, taking on the animal welfare brief. We’ve written to him to congratulate him on his new role, inviting collaboration to create meaningful change for animals in Wales.

To keep momentum, the League actively participated in the Welsh political conferences this spring, particularly with the Welsh Conservatives and Plaid Cymru. These events provided a fantastic opportunity to engage directly with decision-makers, including the new First Minister. Welsh Labour postponed its spring conference to November where we held an exhibition stand solely focused on the urgent need to ban cages. This marked our first engagement at a Welsh Labour conference since the successful ban on snaring, eager to bring back attention to this critical issue.

At Plaid Cymru Autumn Conference, we made valuable connections with the party’s Members of the Senedd. While support for banning cages was expressed by some, there’s still no official party position on the matter. We’re committed to keeping the conversation alive and ensuring that the call for an end to cage breeding remains a top priority in Welsh politics.

Remain a key stakeholder through active engagement in National Resource Wales and Welsh government work on shooting issues

including game bird release The League continues to be an active stakeholder with Natural Resources Wales, engaging in all relevant consultations to advocate for animal welfare. In late 2023, Natural Resources Wales advised the Welsh Government that the release of pheasants and partridges without a licence should be banned. While originally intended to take effect in 2024, implementation was delayed, with the necessary licensing system now expected to be developed in time for the 2025/26 shooting season.

While this created fewer opportunities for input over the last year, we remain vigilant and ready to engage whenever the opportunity arises to promote our mission and ensure that animal welfare is prioritised in all discussions.

Submit proposals to the current government to introduce legislation that will end caged game bird breeding in its current form, and take forward to the next government

Leading up to last July’s the general election, we developed detailed proposals to implement a ban on the use of cages to breed game birds at a UK government level, submitting them alongside in-depth analysis of the need for action and the legislative routes available. Working with our partners in the animal welfare sector, we also ensured that birds bred for sport are recognised as an important part of wider proposals to end the cage age in animal farming. This included support for the Votes For Animals election initiative, which encouraged election candidates to pledge to ban the industrial production of pheasants and partridges.

All too often, animals abused for sport are not covered by even the minimal legal protections which apply to other animals. Since the general election, in appearing alongside ministers at public events discussing animal welfare policy and in face-to-face meetings, we have raised ending caged breeding as a pressing priority and key example of the way in which animals such as game birds are failed by the current legal system. We continue to advocate on this issue to ensure it forms part of the government’s thinking as it develops a more comprehensive approach to improving animal welfare.

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

In addition to what we said we would do, we also:

Campaigned for a snaring ban in England

Ahead of the general election, we provided detailed policy notes on the case for adopting a ban on the use of snares in England, building on previous parliamentary work and the successful campaigns in Wales and Scotland and helping to secure election commitments from political parties. In collaboration with our partners in the animal welfare sector during and since the election, we provided politicians and officials with evidence to demonstrate that snares are cruel, unnecessary, indiscriminate and must be banned without exception. Coinciding with the ban on snares coming into force in Scotland at the end of November, we launched an action which enabled League supporters to urge their MPs to support a ban. With the government having been elected on a manifesto commitment to ban snares in England, this will remain a key area of our work and collaboration with the many charities who back calls for a ban.

Goal Three: end fighting of animals for sport

Produce enhanced intelligence packages for law enforcement agencies on suspected incidents of dog fighting in the UK

It’s shocking that there are people who breed, abuse and force dogs to fight other dogs, often to the death. They do it for money and for entertainment. It’s illegal but we routinely gather intelligence on dog fighting that’s still sadly taking place across the UK.

Through our covert operations, we gather evidence and prepare enhanced intelligence packages for law enforcement agencies. Last year we sent 53 separate intelligence packages relating to dog fighting to 13 police forces and five other organisations across the UK.

In addition to what we said we would do, we also:

Brought perpetrators to justice

Case One

Last year, two brothers, Kristen and Todd Cooper, were sentenced for horrifying animal cruelty and theft. The case involved videos found on Kristen’s phone, showing the brothers causing unnecessary suffering to animals, mutilating wildlife, and encouraging dogs to attack injured deer and hares. An expert described the videos as some of the worst cases of animal abuse seen in 24 years.

Kristen received a total prison sentence of five years, while Todd received three years and eight months. Kristen was additionally subject to a 10-year Criminal Behaviour Order, including restrictions on possessing a catapult and being on agricultural or farmland during specific hours, along with a 10-year ban on owning a dog. The positive development in this story is the increase in animal cruelty sentencing in England and Wales, with judges gaining greater powers to increase prison sentences for such offences. This is due to the introduction of the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act, which increased the legal maximum sentences for many animal cruelty offences to five years, and which was something we led on lobbying for years to achieve.

Additionally, the Sentencing Council for England and Wales issued new guidelines, following input from the League, which now allows judges to treat serious animal cruelty offenses, such as dog fighting and badger baiting, more seriously. The council initially proposed sentences of around 18 months for the most serious offences but revised them to a range of six months to three years and six months, with a starting point of two years in jail. Particularly severe cases may result in a five-year sentence. These new sentencing capabilities were introduced after the League gave important feedback in the consultation process. Not only does the increase in penalty act as

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a deterrent, but they’ll also provide law enforcement additional capabilities to investigate these crimes. We’re pleased to have played such a crucial role in ensuring those who abuse animals for fun are punished appropriately.

Case Two

We played a pivotal role, alongside other leading animal welfare organisations and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), in securing the conviction of Jason Kennedy, a ruthless badger baiter and animal abuser. Thanks to the intelligence gathered by our team, in collaboration with the USPCA and Nature Watch, Kennedy was jailed for 27 months for a series of horrific animal cruelty offences. His brutal actions, including setting dogs on badgers, foxes, and cats, resulted in unthinkable suffering and death for these innocent animals.

Our investigation began in May 2021 uncovering disturbing evidence — photos and videos showing Kennedy orchestrating bloody fights between his dogs and wildlife. Injured dogs with severe facial wounds, a common occurrence in badger baiting, were taken into care and successfully rehomed. While badger baiting is outlawed, fox hunting with dogs remains legal in Northern Ireland, allowing terrier men to continue their cruel practice of sending dogs underground to maul or flush out wildlife. However, Kennedy’s sentencing, including a 10-year ban from owning animals, sends a powerful message: cruelty of this kind will not go unpunished.

We hope this conviction serves as a stark deterrent to others who would engage in these barbaric acts, as they have no place in a modern, compassionate society.

Closed down a brutal dog fighting ring

Last year we played a critical role in shutting down a brutal dog-fighting ring that spanned across Europe. Our intelligence team provided crucial information to Essex Police, leading to the conviction of three men and one woman at Chelmsford Crown Court for a series of horrific animal welfare offences, including organised dog fighting.

At the centre of our investigation was Billy Leadley, also known online as GSK or Green Street Kennels. Leadley pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a dog with a severe tail injury, but the jury convicted him of an additional nine charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. These crimes ranged from operating a premises for dog fighting to refereeing violent matches and training dogs for fighting. Following the trial, Leadley admitted to further charges of neglecting nine dogs kept in squalid conditions and owning a prohibited breed. A total of 16 dogs, many believed to have been forced into fights, were rescued — some found in appalling conditions in his garage.

This landmark case wasn’t just a victory for our team; it was also a collaborative success with Essex Police and the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit. Together, we uncovered evidence leading to the conviction of other key figures involved in this vile underground network. Phillip Harris Ali, infamously known as ‘Dr Death’, and Stephen Albert Brown were also found guilty of numerous offences.

In June 2024, Leadley was sentenced to four years in prison for 12 animal cruelty offences. The use of new sentencing powers, which we helped push through government, reflected the severity of these abhorrent crimes. Thanks to our joint efforts, one of Europe’s most notorious dog fighters is now behind bars, and countless dogs have been spared from further suffering.

Goal Four: win the hearts and minds of a broader audience

Attract new supporters to take our campaigning actions

Supporters are at the heart of all we do. Without them we wouldn’t be able to campaign for change. Last year 310 supporters raised their voices with ours and completed an action for animals, be it attending a demonstration, attending webinars or writing to their local paper. Tens of thousands more signed our

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petition (almost 50,000 in fact), and a staggering 70,094 email actions were sent by our supporters last year.

Promote Animal Crimewatch as the go-to reporting service for cruelty in the name of sport through online awareness campaigns

While most people are familiar with reporting general animal cruelty, such as pet neglect or harm, fewer know how to report cruelty linked to sports. These insidious forms of abuse often go unreported, leaving those who harm animals for sport or entertainment unpunished for some of the worst acts of cruelty. Our supporter-funded Animal Crimewatch service bridges that gap. It allows the public to report such crimes, often with valuable intelligence and evidence, which we investigate and pass on to the police for further work. This service is crucial for tackling cruelty in the name of sport, ensuring that offenders don’t slip through the cracks.

In addition to email, phone, and post, we launched a new WhatsApp service in October, making it even easier for people to contact us while on the go. It is already proving useful, with people already using it to report suspected animal crime. One example, also mentioned in our national parks section, is of a family using it to report suspected illegal fox hunting in Dartmoor – something that was covered by the local press - devonlive.com/news/devon-news/family-tears-after-dartmoor-fox-9748780

Celebrate the League’s centenary to engage new and existing supporters

On 25 November 2024, the League proudly marked its 100th birthday — a century of standing strong against cruelty in the name of sport. From our humble beginnings in Morden, Surrey, where visionaries Henry Amos and Ernest Bell founded The League for the Prohibition of Cruel Sports, we’ve evolved into a formidable force for change.

To commemorate this monumental milestone, we rolled out a year of celebration and reflection. We kicked off by launching our online centenary hub, featuring a powerful film and a fascinating League through the Decades document. Our exclusive centenary merchandise collection, drawing inspiration from the 1950s, 1980s, and the modern day, allowed supporters to wear their history with pride. The Supporter Stories campaign captured the hearts of hundreds, showcasing personal memories, heartfelt dedications, and creative artwork from our community.

Our celebrations included a special event at the Senedd, where we expressed our gratitude to the Welsh government for its significant contributions to animal protection, especially with the recent triumph of banning snares in Wales. The year culminated in a centenary event at the Houses of Parliament, bringing politicians, friends and allies together to honour our collective achievements. And, of course, our centenary edition of Protect quickly became a treasured collector’s item for many of our dedicated supporters.

Increase Leaguecast podcast series in the lead up to the next general election to secure and strengthen support

Our podcast - Leaguecast - became a key platform in our general election campaign, allowing us to engage supporters with up-to-date discussions on animal welfare issues and our Time for Change Campaign Against Hunting. Through a three-part miniseries, we explored critical election topics, including what policies the public could expect on animal welfare, how we’ve campaigned for changes in legislation to protect animals, and what the new Labour government could mean for animal welfare in the UK.

By discussing real-time issues and our strategic plans, we were able to amplify our voice and ensure that animal welfare remained a key topic in public and political discourse. Moving into 2025, Leaguecast will continue expanding its reach, introducing new listeners to our cause and ensuring our campaign messages are heard more widely.

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Develop League wildlife reserves to encourage more visitors

Our wildlife reserves, especially Baronsdown, serve as vital sanctuaries for animals that might otherwise be targeted by hunters. Last year, we were thrilled to host several events at Baronsdown, our flagship reserve. One of the highlights was the two-day red stag rutting event, a spectacular natural phenomenon where stags engage in fierce competition for mates. More than 70 supporters from across the UK participated in this special experience. They enjoyed tours and guided woodland walks, giving them an up-close view of the stunning wildlife and diverse flora and fauna that thrive in this peaceful haven.

These events not only offer a unique glimpse into the life of the majestic red deer but also reinforce the importance of protecting such creatures and their habitats. Through these immersive experiences, we connected our supporters with the natural world and inspired further commitment to our mission of safeguarding animals from cruelty.

In addition to what we said we would do, we also:

Endorsed calls to ban greyhound racing

Greyhound racing is a heartless and outdated practice, where the thrill for spectators comes at the expense of the dogs’ wellbeing. While racegoers may be betting on winners, the grim reality is that 109 greyhounds died trackside last year alone, and a staggering 4,238 injuries were reported across the UK’s 20 tracks in 2023, according to figures from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain. This means that 28 per cent of all racing greyhounds in the UK are getting injured - numbers that paint a damning picture of a sport that sacrifices these gentle animals for profit.

The call for a ban is growing louder, with increasing scrutiny over the safety and ethics of greyhound racing. In Wales, a petition with 35,000 signatures pushed the government to ask the public for their views on banning the sport, and we responded to the consultation on Animal Welfare Establishments, advocating for a phased ban. Our supporters made their voices heard, submitting more than 300 responses in Wales alone. Similarly, in Scotland, we joined eight other animal welfare organisations in the Unbound the Greyhound campaign, demanding the Scottish Government put an end to this cruel sport.

But our efforts go beyond government lobbying. We even approached Sky Sports, asking the broadcaster to share injury data with their viewers to expose the hidden toll of greyhound racing. While Sky agreed to our suggestion, and published the data online, it’s clear that more must be done. It’s time to bring an end to greyhound racing in the UK for good.

Focused on digital campaigning

Last year, we took our digital campaigning to new heights, focusing on growing our online presence and mobilising support. We created the Campaigners Against Cruel Sports Facebook group, which quickly gained more than 1,400 passionate members, all committed to ending animal cruelty. This vibrant space keeps supporters updated on our work and broader animal welfare issues, equipping them with the resources, expertise, and information needed to drive our campaigns forward. With more than 1,400 posts and 6,064 comments and 37,824 likes and other reactions, it’s a lively, engaged forum that’s set to grow.

The group became a central hub during our general election campaign, spearheading a digital takeover that dominated key campaign hashtags and flooded the feeds of prospective Defra secretaries with thousands of posts across multiple platforms. This engaged network of supporters has been vital in amplifying our message, allowing us to quickly pivot and distribute campaign materials more efficiently than ever before.

In addition to the Facebook group, we hosted a series of online webinars leading up to the election, covering local, digital, and political campaigning. These sessions drew more than 370 sign-ups across eight events and empowered supporters with the knowledge and skills to be more effective animal advocates.

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But our standout initiative from last year was Circle, a dedicated online platform that is away from social media sites, and which is a one-stop shop for us to host discussions and share information on all our work. Launching in December, its first month saw 165 supporters join us, and we also used it to host our first live campaigns seminar. Circle is available to download on mobile and computer, and once you’ve signed up just search for Campaigners Against Cruel Sports to join us. This platform doesn’t require membership of any other social media platform and is one we will be using increasingly through the year.

Looking forward, building and nurturing these powerful online communities remains a top priority in 2025 as we continue to amplify our voice and strengthen our impact in the fight against animal cruelty.

Championed stricter controls in horse racing

A day at the races might be thrilling for spectators, but for the horses, it can be a day of danger and suffering. Forced to leap perilous fences and pushed to their physical limits with the whip, many horses pay the ultimate price.

Since the year 2000 (excluding 2001 when the event was cancelled due to foot and mouth disease) at least one horse has died every year at the Cheltenham Festival - totalling a heartbreaking 74 deaths over the past 23 years. These shocking statistics make it clear: tighter safety measures are urgently needed to protect both the horses and their jockeys. We’re calling for the creation of an independent regulatory body that puts horse welfare first and foremost.

One of the most critical steps toward achieving this goal is banning the use of the whip. In 2020, an Early Day Motion garnered the support of 97 MPs, urging the British Horse Racing Authority to ban the whip for ‘encouragement.’

This blatant disregard for animal welfare has no place in modern, compassionate Britain. It’s time to end the cruel use of the whip in horse racing and protect these majestic animals from needless suffering. We’re determined to take action and campaign on this before more lives are lost.

Encouraged people to call our Animal Crimewatch reporting service

Our supporter-funded Animal Crimewatch reporting service allows people from across the UK to report animal crimes. In 2024 we received 324 reports from members of the public who were concerned about animal cruelty. Members of the public can contact us by email, phone, post, online or by WhatsApp.

Got our message heard

The year offered an opportunity to put our messages across to the public via the media, but with an ever-more crowded political and environmental news agenda as the year progressed it also offered us significant challenges.

Despite those challenges, across the year the League generated 1,371 separate pieces of media coverage in both national and regional newspapers, as well as featuring in 163 television or radio broadcasts. We appeared on the BBC, ITV National News and Channel 4 News and also in prestigious newspapers such as The Times, Guardian, Mail and Mirror.

It wasn’t just the quantity of the media articles we featured in that impressed but also the quality – our key messages featured in 84 per cent of the coverage, ensuring the public understands what we are asking the government to do to protect animals persecuted through sport. Those who support these so-called sports could only offer weak responses – if any – to these stories.

Boxing Day has traditionally been a huge day in the fox hunting world’s calendar, and this year we once again effectively challenged their PR exercise by shaping the news agenda to focus on their cruelty. We shared with

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journalists a strong set of figures gathered by the League’s intelligence team highlighting the scale of suspected illegal hunting in the countryside, which ensured the hunts’ brutal behaviour was kept firmly in the spotlight. This resulted in more than 400 media articles that mainly highlighted the hunts’ savagery and smokescreens, rather than focusing on their pomp and pageantry.

Our calls for the Government to set out a timetable for when it would ban trail hunting were picked up across the board. So, too, were our calls for the Government to remove the loopholes in the Hunting Act and introduce jail terms for those that break the law. Those hundreds of media pieces mean that 2024 saw our key messaging reach millions of ordinary people as well as key politicians and policy makers, as we strove to make this country a kinder and safer place for animals and wildlife.

Defended animals on our wildlife reserves

Spring

The first signs of spring came while winter was still with us, as snowdrops forced their way through the soil, goat willows burst into flower, and frogs appeared from nowhere in the ponds. Unfortunately, much of our time was taken up monitoring the hunts as they hunted near to the wildlife reserves. We still need to keep a close eye on the hunts in case they or their supporters are tempted to trespass in pursuit of their victim, as occasionally happens. On the positive side, it is rewarding when you see hunted stags making their way past the cordon of hunt followers onto the reserves, as happening on a few occasions during March and April.

Aside from monitoring hunts, we still had to carry out routine management work to maintain the League’s wildlife reserve in good order and to maximise their value to wildlife and to start carrying out surveys to identify the wildlife that is present.

Summer

The appearance of fox cubs, badger cubs, and deer calves on the wildlife reserves heralded the start of summer and it is something that never fails to bring a rush of excitement. Likewise, the return from Africa of small migrant birds, such as pied flycatchers, redstarts and wood warblers to nest on the reserves is nothing short of miraculous. Survey work on the wildlife reserves showed that we still have good populations on insects to feed hungry mouths, despite the wet weather and the impacts of climate change.

On the Cove Down wildlife recovery project, beavers bred successfully, as did goshawks and barn owls. It’s great to be working collaboratively with neighbouring landowners for the benefit of wildlife. We have also been working with the National Trust on a landscape recovery project in North Devon, which includes the League’s Cowley Wood reserve.

Autumn

The red deer rut featured heavily during the autumn as we held two successful supporter events at Baronsdown to coincide with the spectacle. Against the odds, numerous mature stags managed to return to the wildlife reserves to challenge rivals for the right to breed, although there aren’t as many really big stags as there were, due to hunting and shooting pressures. The three staghound packs continued hunting mature stags throughout the rutting period and again lost some of their hunted stags onto the reserves. We were very grateful for the support of neighbouring landowners and other anti-hunt groups who helped to protect the reserves. The fields on Baronsdown once again put on an impressive display of fungi during the autumn, which is testament to sensitive management over many years, and the last hazel dormouse survey of the year found dormice on three of the reserves.

Winter

Winters on the Exmoor wildlife reserves are always dismal affairs, with leaden skies, rain and wind dictating the work we can safely do (thankfully, snow is far less frequent than it was). Nevertheless, we needed to be out there on the reserves to control rhododendron and other invasive plants, deal with lots of fallen trees, maintain the

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FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

buildings, and undertake other essential tasks. Of course, the hunts remained an ever-present threat throughout the period and the pheasant shoots were a constant reminder of the pointless destruction of wildlife going on all around us. It is only through the continued financial help from our supporters that we are able to maintain these magnificent wildlife reserves and keep animals safe.

2025 priorities

Each year we set out our strategic priorities for the year ahead. As we move towards the twentieth anniversary of the Hunting Act coming into force, our primary focus this year will be on holding the government to its manifesto commitments to ban trail hunting, but also demanding it goes further and strengthens the law. We will also be working to support a move in Northern Ireland to ban hunting with dogs; something that has remained legal.

end hunting with dogs

1. Lobby for a timetable from the new government for trail hunting to be outlawed, as per its manifesto commitment, and for changes to include strengthening the hunting ban

2. Continue to harness Welsh government support for strengthening the hunting ban to ensure trail hunting does not return to National Resource Wales land

3. Continue work in Scotland to record behaviour patterns of fox hunts who continue to go out drag hunting or flushing to guns with two or more dogs

4. Support a Private Members’ Bill in Northern Ireland and give guidance to politicians on effectively ending hunting with dogs, and lobby politicians across the island of Ireland to support the proposed legislation

end shooting of animals for sport

1. Continue to be a driving force in the REVIVE coalition that focuses on land reforms to benefit animal welfare, the environment and social justice in Scotland

2. Gain Welsh government commitment to ban the caged breeding of game birds

3. Remain a key stakeholder through active engagement in National Resource Wales and Welsh government work on shooting issues including game bird release

4. Submit proposals to the current government to introduce legislation that will end caged game bird breeding

end fighting of animals for sport

1. Implement a targeted online campaign to grow awareness of suspected dog fighting across the UK

2. Continue to produce enhanced intelligence packages for law enforcement agencies on suspected incidents of dog fighting in the UK

3. Work with stakeholders in law enforcement and other organisations to maximise justice for animals harmed through fighting

win the hearts and minds of a broader audience

1. Maximise our digital campaigns and communications activities to attract new, engaged, supporters

2. Continue to promote Animal Crimewatch as the go-to reporting service for cruelty in the name of sport through online awareness campaigns

3. Use the twentieth anniversary of the Hunting Act to raise awareness of the importance of strengthening the law without further delay

4. Develop League wildlife reserves to encourage more visitors

5. Tell the stories of those who are impacted by the activities of those who harm animals through sport, whether hunting, shooting, animal fighting or animal racing

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People Reporting

Diversity, Equity and Staff Engagement

We are deeply committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive team. While there’s room for improvement, our efforts are yielding results, with many of our metrics outperforming national averages.

• Gender Pay Gap: Our gender pay gap is four per cent narrower than the national average, with a nearly even split of men and women across our team.

• Disability Representation: 25.6 per cent of our staff have a disability or long-term health condition - 11.6 per cent higher than the national average — with a disability pay gap 26 per cent narrower than the national average.

• Ethnic Diversity: While we trail the national average by 4.5 per cent for staff from ethnically diverse backgrounds, our ethnic diversity pay gap is 16 per cent narrower than the national average.

Staff Development and Wellbeing

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. In 2024, we delivered a record-high average of 3.3 days of development per employee, achieving this at one of the lowest costs in recent years. From tailored training to knowledge sharing initiatives, initiatives included a staff development day focussed on the Future of Work and the skills required for it, we remain committed to investing in our staff to maximise their potential and advance our mission.

Transparency in Pay

Equity is very important to us, and we have a transparent and fair framework in place for all people practices, from recruitment to training allocation. Our salaries are benchmarked annually to ensure competitiveness, and we are committed to paying above the Real Living Wage.

Sustainability Statement

Driving Sustainable Change: Our Green Commitment

The Green Team, our dedicated staff committee, continues to lead the charge in reducing our charity’s environmental footprint. Building on the solid foundation of training and policies already in place, the team is excited to be planning a Sustainability Focus Week in 2025. This initiative will inspire every staff member to actively contribute to advancing our collective sustainability efforts.

At the heart of our mission lies our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the natural environment on our wildlife reserves. Our small but passionate wildlife reserve team works tirelessly to ensure that sustainability guides our every action, even when resources are limited. Here are just a few of the ways we put our principles into practice:

• Eco-Friendly Land Management: We avoid harmful pesticides and herbicides on our reserves unless absolutely necessary, choosing more labour-intensive but environmentally responsible alternatives.

• Sustainable Timber Use: Repairs and wildlife habitat construction rely on timber either harvested from our own sawmill using sustainably sourced wood or certified sustainable suppliers.

• Carbon Capture in Nature: The trees on our reserves act as powerful carbon sinks, locking away atmospheric carbon as they grow. Even as they start to deteriorate with age, these trees become vital habitats for diverse wildlife. Permanent pastures also play a role, storing carbon in their dense root systems.

• Greener Tools, Smarter Practices:

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As our old tools wear out, we’re replacing them with rechargeable battery-powered models that are better for both the environment and the team. While we continue to use our trusty old tractor and Land Rovers, we are committed to maintaining them responsibly until sustainable alternatives become viable.

• Water Conservation: On the Baronsdown reserve, all water is sourced from on-site natural springs. With erratic weather patterns becoming the norm, we are increasingly vigilant about using this precious resource wisely.

Our collaboration with neighbouring landowners has been a highlight of the year, particularly at Cove Down, where a nature restoration project has transformed the landscape into a much more sustainable haven for wildlife. Looking ahead, we’re thrilled about the development of a landscape recovery scheme in North Devon in partnership with the National Trust, which includes the League’s Cowley Wood reserve.

Together, these efforts reflect our deep commitment to protecting the environment, both within and beyond our wildlife reserves. With your support and our collective determination, we’re building a future that prioritises sustainability and celebrates the natural world.

Fundraising Review

Building a kinder world together

Our fundraising approach is as diverse as the people who support us. Whether through one-off donations, regular contributions via direct debit, payroll giving, gifts in wills, or participating in our Lucky League Raffle or League Lotto, each method provides a unique way for people to engage with our cause. Our supporters hear from us through a variety of channels - social media, emails, direct mail and Protect, our supporters’ magazine - ensuring they’re always connected to the impact their donations are making.

But fundraising for us isn’t just about money. It’s about building a community of passionate individuals who are ready to take a stand for animals. Our fundraising initiatives raise both funds and awareness, uniting people in our mission to protect wildlife from the cruelty of so-called sport.

Collaborating for greater impact

Our in-house fundraising team leads with passion, but we don’t do it alone. We partner with carefully selected experts when needed, allowing us to tap into specialised skills that amplify our impact. This collaboration ensures we are always evolving, pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve for wildlife protection.

We’re accountable, transparent, and here for our supporters

Our commitment to transparency is woven through every aspect of our work. As proud members of the Fundraising Regulator, we strictly follow the Code of Fundraising Practice and maintain the highest standards in all our activities. Our team is also fully trained to recognise and support individuals who may be in vulnerable circumstances, offering alternative ways for them to get involved, such as volunteering or campaigning if they are unable to give financially.

We take feedback seriously. Our complaints policy, available on our website, ensures every concern is handled with care and respect. In 2024, we received two fundraising related complaints, all resolved by our dedicated Supporter Services team.

We’re also part of the Fundraising Preference Service, making it easy for individuals to opt-out of communications if they choose, and we respect all requests immediately and offer opt-out options in every communication to respect everyone’s preferences.

Safeguarding your trust

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We believe that trust is the cornerstone of all our relationships with supporters. Our approach to data protection is robust, ensuring that personal information is always handled responsibly and securely. Our supporters can access our Privacy and Cookies policies on our website, which detail how,

when, and where their data is used in compliance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Investing in the future of wildlife protection

We’re proud to operate independently, without government funding, relying entirely on the generosity of individuals, corporate partnerships, and trusts. Every donation not only funds our current work but also builds the foundation for future income. We invest strategically, working with third-party providers where necessary to ensure the sustainability of our income streams and expand our reach.

While fundraising requires investment, every penny is directed with care and purpose. Our strategy ensures that funds we raise today - and tomorrow - continue to fuel our fight to protect wildlife from cruelty.

Together, we can create change

None of our work would be possible without the loyal community of supporters who stand with us. Their generosity allows us to fight harder and dream bigger for a future where no animal suffers for sport. Each donation, each word of support, brings us closer to a world where wildlife is protected and respected.

By standing together, we’re changing the narrative and creating a world where kindness leads and cruelty fades into the past.

Structure, Governance and Management

The League Against Cruel Sports is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Registration No. 1095234) and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (Registration No. SC045533). It is also a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (Company Registered No. 04037610). Its objects and powers are set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

The Charity has a wholly owned subsidiary, the League Against Cruel Sports (UK) Limited, which is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales (Company Registered No. 02880406). Its principle activity is to act solely as a subsidiary company for carrying out trading activities on behalf of The League Against Cruel Sports charity. The company did not trade in 2024.

The governing body of the Charity is the Board of Trustees, comprising of not fewer than three nor more than twelve unpaid members. The Board meet at least three times a year to review performance against its plans, approve future financial plans based on the agreed strategy, setting policies and to make any decisions necessary to its governance and strategic direction. The Board has ultimate responsibility for the conduct and financial stability of the Charity group. The Finance, Risk and General purposes Committee is a sub-committee of the Board and also meets regularly to consider issues appertaining to the Charity group and informs the wider Board. As at December 2024 the Committee members were Dan Norris, Astrid Clifford and Ashleigh Brown. The current Committee members are Astrid Clifford, Ashleigh Brown and Neil Moulding.

Day-to-day financial responsibility and managerial control are delegated by the Board to the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive and Senior Management Team meet monthly to discuss operations and financial performance.

Trustees are appointed by a majority of the voting members at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for a term of up to three years or can be co-opted by the Board of Trustees until the next AGM. A comprehensive recruitment exercise is undertaken for the appointment of new Trustees to ensure the Board have the depth and breadth of skills and experience necessary to be an effective Trustee of The League Against Cruel Sports. The Board appoints a recruitment panel which undertakes the selection process, carries out interviews, and makes recommendations to the Board for their approval. During the year we recruited one new Trustee and three trustees resigned, subsequent to the year-end we recruited three new trustees and two existing trustees resigned.

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New Trustees attend an induction day at the League’s headquarters, to learn about the Charity’s mission, strategy and objectives. They also learn about their role and responsibilities as a Trustee. We also use the opportunity for them to meet and speak with the League staff. The Trustees receive regular, in house training on new policies and initiatives, and are provided with on-line resources regarding Trustee governance training/ guideline updates.

The Charitable Company has made qualifying third-party indemnity provisions for the benefit of its directors which were made during the year and remain in force at the date of this report.

Remuneration Policy

The Board of Trustees determines the Chief Executive’s salary and reviews this each year, in line with the Charity’s pay policy. The Board also approves recommendations made by the Chief Executive on any staff pay changes as a result of the annual staff pay review.

Our approach to remuneration of staff is designed to ensure we can attract and retain people with the passion, commitment and talent we need to deliver our mission. We aim to pay competitively in the not-for-profit sector within the context of affordability, using external salary survey to benchmark our salaries against other similar charities.

The annual pay increases are normally awarded in January each year taking into account pay inflation, organisational affordability, and any mandatory statutory increases. Our remuneration policy approach is applied consistently across the organisation, through our annual pay review process.

The League has committed to paying our employees no less than the real living wage and as such is accredited by the Good Business Charter.

Financial Review

Recent historic economic issues continue to impact on the League, much like for other charities in the sector, but we persevere working hard to ensure a stable and sustainable organisation for delivering on our campaigns. As such 2024 income targets were prudently set balanced against a realistic, sustainable expenditure plan but with additional investment for the General Election and the League centenary celebration year from our reserves. In addition, ongoing external probate processing delays continued to frustrate legacy income in the year.

Fundraising has not yet been fully restored to the pre 2022 cost of living crisis level, but we retain a robust supporter base on which to build our fundraising strategy for the future. Our supporters’ dedication, commitment and financial support is never taken for granted and this provides us with the strong foundation to ensure the League continues to be the voice for animals persecuted in the name of sport. In return we are committed to ensuring robust financial management and future financial sustainability in order to achieve this mission.

Alongside our pivotal General Election work we continued to deliver on quality programmes and campaigns achieving our 2024 objectives and delivering this with savings on budget. Despite pressures on income but with a determination to fulfil our goals we have realised a £671k surplus result for the year, and along with a £467k surplus in 2023, we have significantly increased our level of reserves over the last two year period.

Into 2025 the League maintains a strong financial position with a robust five-year financial plan underpinning our medium-term strategy, and we have the necessary reserves and adaptability to help us deal with any financial challenges ahead.

Income

Total group income for the year was £3.7m, an increase of 27 percent on last year. The League reports on three key areas of income generation performance: legacies, donations and memberships. Although we also generate income from our trading activities and investment income from cash deposits.

• 24 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Legacy income was 51 percent higher than last year at just under £2.5m and represented 66 percent of our total income for the year. Performance during the year was lower than expected in part due to the impact of the HMCTS probate processing delays. However, income had started to increase by the year-end and we had substantial post year end legacy receipts resulting in an exceptional legacy accrual debtor. The League’s legacy pipeline remains strong and charity sector reports remain optimistic about future increases in charitable legacy giving. Legacy income is forecast to remain a significant and critical income source for the League in achieving its ambitions. For all charities, legacies are difficult to predict in terms of the amount and timing of receipt, but we work hard to manage this situation as best as we can.

Donations and gifts income amounted to just under £1m for the year, a decrease of 7 percent on last year, and represents 26 percent of our total income for the year. As mentioned above, we believe this income source is still impacted by the economic issues arising in 2022 but despite this so many supporters continue to generously donate what they can, as they can see the amazing achievements the League is accomplishing.

Income from membership fees have reduced to £90k as many new supporters prefer our regular giver supporter package to the more traditional membership. This represents 2 percent of our total income for the year. We always value our loyal members alongside our regular giver supporters and appreciate their enduring commitment to help the League achieve its charitable objectives through their day-to-day support of our work and their participation of ‘on the ground’ action.

Other trading income was £132k for the year, representing 4 percent of our total income for the year. Raffle and Lotto sales increased by 11 per cent on last year to £88k. Merchandise sales increased by 60 per cent to £44k. All our merchandise products are made to order, in this way the League receives commission from sales with the benefits that we save money by not holding stock and is a more ethical solution as there is no production waste, our new products use natural materials and sustainable packaging, and finished products can be sent for recycling.

Expenditure

Total resources expended in furtherance of our charitable objectives for the year was £3.1m, an increase of £0.6m or 24 percent on last year. The increase in expenditure was mainly due to increased spend on our charitable activities, including additional investment into the General Election campaign and also increased spend on fundraising and our supporter functions. Overall, including an allocation of support costs, charitable activities expenditure was £2.4m for the year, an increase of 17 percent on the previous year, and fundraising costs were £0.7m, an increase of 58 percent, as we continue to invest in income generation and supporter care following the impact of recent global economic issues.

Expenditure on our four core charitable activities amounted to 72 percent in total with 22 percent spent on fund raising publicity and trading, and 6 percent on governance. During the year the average number of staff employed decreased from 42 to 41, and by the year end the staff complement was 40.

The League continues to exercise strict cost control supported by robust financial processes and procedures, ever mindful to obtain the best value for money when spending every penny of our supporter donations on our charitable aims, but also to spend within the parameters of our ethical procurement policy.

Balance Sheet

As at the year end the Group had total net assets of £4.8m; represented by fixed assets (mainly freehold land and buildings) of £1.6m, cash deposits of £1.3m, other current assets of £2.1m and current liabilities of £0.2m.

Group funds consist of £4.7m unrestricted funds (2023: £4m) and £0.1m of restricted funds (2023: £0.1m). At the year-end there were designated funds totalling £1.7m by the Board of Trustees (2023: £1.7m). The funds purposes are detailed in note 13 to the financial statements.

The strong surplus result for the year reinforces the League’s stable financial position, and with robust future financial plans in place, our level of total reserves/net assets continue to provide the Group with a strong working capital base for 2025 and into the future.

• 25 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Reserves Policy

Reserves are key in ensuring the long-term viability of the Charity. The Board of Trustees regularly monitors the level of retained reserves, when reviewing financial performance in the management accounts, and reviews the overall reserves policy annually as part of the five-year financial plan review. Our policy remains in line with the Charity Commission’s advice on managing charity reserves over the current economic climate.

Our reserves policy is based on a risk identification approach calculating an appropriate level of unrestricted reserves to cover our contractual commitments, working capital requirements, and to manage possible fluctuations in future income levels; this calculation also takes into account our fixed asset holdings. Our five-year financial planning aims to achieve a target level of reserves to cover all these identified risks and ensure we have long term financial stability.

At the financial year end the amount of free unrestricted reserves available for general purposes was £3.1m, of which £1.7m has been designated by the Board of Trustees for specific purposes including income and expenditure risk management and building our supporter base. Total free reserves have increased over the year and exceed our minimum target level required to provide sufficient financial stability given the current risks the League is potentially exposed to, as detailed in the Risk Management section on page 27. Reserves provide eleven months operational expenditure cover. With the continuing economic uncertainty, the Board feels it is appropriate to maintain a relatively high level of reserves, including setting aside specific designated funds, to ensure the stability and sustainability of the Charity until the economy recovers and funding confidence returns to previous levels.

The Board will continue to regularly monitor the League’s performance against its agreed plans.

Investment Policy

With the continuing instability of the stock markets, the Trustees have agreed that stocks and shares given to or left to the League should be sold at the earliest beneficial opportunity. There was no loss on any investments received or sold during the year. The ongoing uncertainty of the markets has led to the Trustees continuing their policy of holding reserves in either property or cash deposits. Cash deposits are spread over a number of authorised firms to take advantage of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and to reduce the potential risk of any losses occurring. As at the year-end, 41 percent of these funds are available for instant access, and the remaining deposits have notice periods and are repayable within five months.

The policy will be reviewed by the Trustees during 2025 with due regard to our forecast cash flow requirements.

Public Benefit

The Charities Act 2011 requires that Trustees explain in their annual report how it is that their activities demonstrate the public benefit of their work within the meaning of the Act.

In charity law the advancement of animal welfare is recognised as a charitable purpose. The League’s main objective is to prevent or reduce cruelty to animals in the name of sport. Whilst the League may use a number of different means to further this objective and will strive to push at boundaries, it is careful to ensure that it remains within the remit of its charitable objectives and within the strict parameters of charity law at all times.

Examples of the League’s work are:

• The investigation and monitoring of possible wildlife offences;

• Informing and educating on the impact of the Hunting Act 2004, including amendments or repeal;

• Informing and educating the public about the cruelty aspect of using animals for ‘sporting’ purposes;

• Informing and educating the public about animal welfare problems associated with ‘sport’ such as the use of snares and the intensive production of ‘game’ birds;

• Liaison with elected officials who have the power to both enforce the law and to enhance it.

• 26 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Internal Controls and Risk Management

The Trustees are responsible for ensuring the League group has a sound system of internal control to safeguard its assets and funds, and for ensuring that its assets and funds are used only in furtherance of the League’s objectives. The system of internal control is intended to manage appropriately rather than to eliminate risks and to provide reasonable rather than absolute assurance. The Charity is one that arouses strong passions and potential threats to it are ever present, particularly from those who challenge its very existence, credibility, and direction.

Trustees have developed an effective risk management framework for the assessment of major risks to which the Charity is exposed, that has been used successfully throughout the year. The assessment and documentation of risk is carried out by the Senior Management Team led by the Chief Executive Officer (and Acting CEO), supported by the Finance Director, both of whom have considerable experience and expertise in this area. Risk factors are identified and assessed for scale, and each risk is assigned to a member of the Senior Management Team to take responsibility for identifying the steps needed to manage or mitigate the risk. These risk assessments are documented in a risk register and are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that new risks are identified and that actions proposed to mitigate or manage risks are being undertaken. The risks to the Charity are also assessed and reviewed by the Trustees quarterly through the Finance Risk and General (FRAG) Committee, with a subsequent update to the full Board at their quarterly meeting. The CEO (and Acting CEO) also raise specific risks through regular communications with the Chair and Honorary Treasurer.

The Charity continues to benefit from strong management and governance, and the dedication and active engagement of its staff. Key indicators of the strength of the Charity include retention, sickness and absence rates being a fraction of the national average, with long serving directors providing the firmest of foundations on which the Charity can operate effectively.

The Charity maintains a risk register that outlines all of the risks it is facing and what actions we have in place to mitigate these risks. These mitigations vary according to the type of risk and although mitigations can be put in place, they cannot eliminate the risk completely.

The register is reviewed regularly by management and quarterly by the Board.

Our current top risks are considered to be:

1. Reputational. The Charity operates in a friction environment where opinions are strong, and where some third parties actively seek to diminish, or some inadvertently would pose threat to the reputation of the Charity. Such risk to reputation could be manifested via social media channels, litigation or other sources. The Charity recognises the potential opportunity for threat and plans prudently to ensure any such risk can be dealt with in an appropriate and proportionate manner. We are fully aware of these risks and we will actively challenge those individuals or organisations that seek to unfairly, or unlawfully, diminish the Charity or those therein. Alongside this, the safety and welfare of the League’s trustees, staff and supporters is a primary consideration in all work we undertake, and we actively promote and pride ourselves on our openness and welfare support systems.

2. Impact of economic uncertainty, in particular on our fundraising income. Global instability is still impacting on the UK bringing with it high levels of uncertainty in the economy. Low growth, a relatively high tax burden and inflation still above target are putting pressure on the publics’ finances and this in turn creates a high risk to the Charity from a decline in donations. This makes it difficult to predict future income with certainty and with it, the ability to plan beyond the very near term. We mitigate against this risk as best as we can through our ongoing, valuable supporter services and development tools which helps to maintain our supporter engagement and commitment, and we aim to strengthen our fundraising base over 2025 with investment into a supporter acquisition programme.

3. Delays to legacy income. The risks to our income are compounded by well-publicised delays at HMCTS in the granting of probate affecting the charity sector. The signs are positive for legacy growth in the sector, but lengthy delays in releasing monies impacts on our cash flow. We understand recruitment of additional HMCTS staff has cleared a significant proportion of the accumulated backlog over the last year, but it is not known how long it will be until the entire backlog is cleared, particularly for the more arduous cases, and when we will see a significant improvement in the timeliness of legacy receipts. For now legacy income and cash flows remain very difficult to

4. 27 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

predict and affect our medium-term planning. With specialist, internal legacy resources we continually monitor the charity legacy market and communicate effectively with other charity legacy teams to resolve issues promptly and have employed resources into more proactive legacy management in 2025. We are also able to manage adverse legacy fluctuations by incorporating legacy risk into our reserves policy and have established a legacy equalisation designated fund.

1. Ability to maintain reserves. 2024 was a pivotal campaigning year for the League, and the programmes and activities planned for the coming year will be as equally important and challenging given the chance to finally close the hunting legislation loopholes. Another surplus result for this year puts us on a strong reserves footing to continue the funding of our essential work. There are still factors at large which could undermine the strength of our financial reserves: continuing political and economic upheaval, high inflation and individuals’ financial security. The perception is that the world continues be a much more uncertain and dangerous place and unexpected events, either on a macro level or more specifically localised to the League, could have a significant impact on our reserves and the ability to continue operating at our current level. Due to these continuing uncertainties the League’s reserves are currently held at a higher level than normal to provide increased mitigation from this risk at this time; this level is re-evaluated each year during our five-year financial planning cycle, based according to our forecast business need.

2. Health and safety. Unfortunately, adverse physical and verbal behaviour towards staff has always been a relatively high risk for the League, as compared to other organisations, and therefore an area of great concern and requiring close management particularly by the Board of Trustees. To a certain extent this greater risk is inherent in the nature of the work we do but that does not mean that League management find it anymore acceptable or tolerable. This risk is taken very seriously and has all necessary resources deployed in order to be managed effectively. To mitigate against this risk, staff are well trained, and we have robust health and safety and security policies in place and carry out strict risk assessments ahead of any external events. Our premises have strong physical security measures in place with procedures for reporting anything of concern to the appropriate authorities by any member of staff.

3. Data security. Well publicised increases in the incidence of hacking and other data breaches, and the significant penalties they attract, are a risk to the Charity as to all organisations. Included in these risks are ransomware attacks and the hacking of accounts, which threaten both the finances and the reputation of the Charity. The Charity remains committed to data protection and is fully aware of the potential impacts any breaches could have on our ability to deliver our charitable objects. During 2024 we carried out a major IT infrastructure upgrade alongside data security enhancements. In 2025 we have made further IT and data security improvements, including the formation of a new Data Protection Team with representation across the organisation to oversea and strengthen the League’s data security.

4. 28 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees, who are also the directors of The League Against Cruel Sports for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company Law requires the Trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year. In preparing these accounts, the Trustees are required to:

– select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

– observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice);

– make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

– state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and

– prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the Trustees are aware:

• There is no relevant information of which the charitable company’s auditor is unaware; and

• The Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.

Auditors

A resolution proposing that Haysmacintyre LLP be reappointed as auditors of the company will be put to the members. This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees Astrid Clifford

Astrid Clifford Chair Dated: 22 August 2025

• 29 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS AND TRUSTEES OF THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

We have audited the financial statements of League Against Cruel Sports for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities, the Group and Charitable Company Balance Sheet and the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of the charitable company’s net movement in funds, including the income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

• have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 6 and the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Trustees’ Report and the Chair’s statement. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the

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THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

• the information given in the Trustees’ Report (which includes the strategic report and the directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law) for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• the strategic report and the directors’ report included within the Trustees’ Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees’ Report (which incorporates the strategic report and the directors’ report).

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 and the Charity Accounts (Scotland) Regulations (as amended) require us to report to you if, in our opinion:

• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent charitable company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• the parent charitable company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made;

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or

• the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies’ regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the trustees’ report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report

Responsibilities of trustees for the financial statements

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 29, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

• 31 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of noncompliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Based on our understanding of the group and the environment in which it operates, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to fundraising regulations, GDPR and Charities Act 2011, and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the preparation of the financial statements such as the Charities Act 2011 and the application of FRS 102, income tax and payroll tax.

We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls) and determined that the principal risks were related to posting inappropriate journal entries to revenue and management bias in accounting estimate. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included: -

• Enquiries of management regarding correspondence with regulators and tax authorities;

• Discussions with management including consideration of known or suspected instances of noncompliance with laws and regulation and fraud;

• Evaluating management’s controls designed to prevent and detect irregularities;

• Identifying and testing journals, in particular, journal entries posted with unusual account combinations, postings by unusual users or with unusual descriptions; and

• Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their critical accounting estimates

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Adam Halsey (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Haysmacintyre LLP, Statutory Auditors Date: 05/09/2025

10 Queen Street Place London EC4R 1AG

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THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds 2024 2023
Notes £ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations and legacies 2 3,510,282 41,564 3,551,846 2,785,402
Other trading activities 3 131,762 - 131,762 106,746
Investments 4 62,963 - 62,963 51,682
Total income 3,705,007 41,564 3,746,571 2,943,830
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Fundraising and publicity costs 5 611,393 872 612,265 399,269
Costs of trading activities 5 101,376 - 101,376 53,539
712,769 872 713,641 452,808
Charitable activities
End Hunting with Dogs 5 1,038,480 1,481 1,039,961 809,819
End Shooting of Animals for 'Sport' 5 384,589 10,695 395,284 440,163
End Fighting of Animals for 'Sport' 5 211,679 302 211,981 152,533
Win Hearts and Minds 5 674,349 40,405 714,754 621,461
2,309,097 52,883 2,361,980 2,023,976
Total expenditure 3,021,866 53,755 3,075,621 2,476,784
Net income/(expenditure) 683,141 (12,191) 670,950 467,046
Fund balances at 1 January 3,986,981 109,831 4,096,812 3,629,766
Fund balances at 31 December 4,670,122 97,640 4,767,762 4,096,812
----- End of picture text -----

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

• 33 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
2024 2023
Notes £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 7 1,602,620 1,620,972
Current assets
Stocks 9 13,412 18,666
Debtors 10 2,013,126 1,007,023
Cash deposit investments 1,210,350 1,439,490
Cash at bank and in hand 100,810 121,337
3,337,698 2,586,516
Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due
within one year 11 (172,556) (110,676)
Net current assets 3,165,142 2,475,840
Total assets less current liabilities 4,767,762 4,096,812
Creditors: Amounts falling due
- -
after more than one year
Total net assets 4,767,762 4,096,812
Income funds
Restricted funds 13 97,640 109,831
Unrestricted funds 13
Designated funds 1,661,000 1,726,000
General unrestricted funds 3,009,122 2,260,981
Total unrestricted funds 4,670,122 3,986,981
Total group funds 4,767,762 4,096,812
----- End of picture text -----

The financial statements were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 22 August 2025 and signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees by

Astrid Clifford

Astrid Clifford Trustee

Company Registration No. 04037610

• 34 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

CHARITABLE COMPANY BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
2024 2023
Notes £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 7 1,602,620 1,620,972
Investment in subsidiary 17 12 12
1,602,632 1,620,984
Current assets
Stocks 9 13,412 18,666
Debtors 10 2,013,126 1,007,023
Cash deposit investments 1,210,350 1,439,490
Cash at bank and in hand 50,455 71,724
3,287,343 2,536,903
Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due
within one year 11 (173,219) (112,081)
Net current assets 3,114,124 2,424,822
Total assets less current liabilities 4,716,756 4,045,806
Creditors: Amounts falling due
- -
after more than one year
Total net assets 4,716,756 4,045,806
Income funds
Restricted funds 13 97,640 109,831
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds 1,661,000 1,726,000
General unrestricted funds 2,958,116 2,209,975
Total unrestricted funds 4,619,116 3,935,975
Total charity funds 4,716,756 4,045,806
----- End of picture text -----

The financial statements were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 22 August 2025 and signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees by

Astrid Clifford Astrid Clifford Trustee

Company Registration No. 04037610

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THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
2024 2023
Notes £ £ £ £
Cashflows from operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities a (296,380) (92,960)
Cashflows from investing activities:
Interest from investments 62,963 51,682
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (16,250) (20,268)
Net cash provided by/ (used in) investing activities 46,713 31,414
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period (249,667) (61,546)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period 1,560,827 1,622,373
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period b 1,311,160 1,560,827
a) Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash from operating activities
2024 2023
Notes £ £
Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period 670,950 467,046
(as per the Statement of Financial Activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation 7 34,602 31,906
Interest from Investments 4 (62,963) (51,682)
Decrease/(increase) in stocks 5,254 1,846
(Increase)/decrease in debtors (1,006,103) (546,052)
Increase/(decrease) in creditors current 61,880 3,976
Net cash used in operating activities (296,380) (92,960)
b) Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
2024 2023
£ £
Deposits 1,210,350 1,439,490
Cash in hand 100,810 121,337
Total cash and cash equivalents 1,311,160 1,560,827
----- End of picture text -----

The cash deposits are invested over a wider range of regulated financial institutions to improve the security of the cash reserves and to take advantage of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme protections. At the end of the financial year all deposits have notice periods of less than five months and all are repayable within five months.

The movements in net debt are all shown in the main cashflow statement.

• 36 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Charity Information

The League Against Cruel Sports is a registered charity in England and Wales (charity number 1095234) and in Scotland (OSCR charity number SC045533), and a company limited by guarantee (Company Registered Number 04037610) and domiciled in the UK, and is a public benefit entity.

The address of the registered office is: New Sparling House, Holloway Hill, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1QZ.

1 Accounting Policies

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) – Charities SORP 2015 (Second Edition, effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

The League Against Cruel Sports meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102.

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost of transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.

1.2 Basis for consolidation

The financial statements consolidate the results of the Charity and its wholly owned subsidiary League Against Cruel Sports (UK) Limited on a line by line basis. A separate Statement of Financial Activities and income and expenditure accounts are not presented for the Charity itself following the exemptions afforded by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and paragraph 397 of the Statement of Recommended Practice.

1.3 Key judgements and assumptions

In the application of the Charity's accounting policies the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The key judgments and assumptions are legacy accrual and depreciation which are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

1.4 Going concern

Based on the level of reserves held at the year end and the latest five year financial plans the Trustees are confident that The League Against Cruel Sports is financially secure in its immediate future for the next 12 months and that on this basis the Charity is a going concern.

The Trustees regularly review detailed financial budgets and forecasts, which are adjusted to take into account revised assumptions and events. Where such forecasts indicate a potential problem corrective action is taken to protect the future viability of the Charity. The key risks assessed are described in the Trustees' Annual Report.

The trustees believe there are no material uncertainties concerning the going concern status of the charitable group.

1.5 Charitable funds

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the accounts.

Designated funds are amounts of unrestricted funds which have been earmarked at the discretion of the Trustees for particular future purposes.

Unrestricted funds are available for the use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the objectives of the Charity.

• 37 -

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

1.6 Income

All income is included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income, the amount can be measured with reasonable accuracy and its receipt is probable.

In respect of legacy income, the Charities SORP requires legacy income to be recognised when it is receivable unless it is incapable of financial measurement. The Charity mainly receives pecuniary and residuary legacies and accounts for them as receivable when (i) entitlement has been established (ii) receipt is probable and (iii) the sum involved is measurable. All three tests must be met for the League to accrue a legacy. Entitlement exists when grant of probate has been received evidencing that a gift has been left to the Charity and the executor is satisfied that the property in question will not be required to satisfy claims in the estate. Probability exists when there is grant of probate, the executor is satisfied that there are sufficient funds to pay and in the case of residuary legacies that final accounts have been agreed. Measurability is the estimate of the fair value of the income receivable based on the information available, but measured or estimated with sufficient reliability.

Donations income and membership subscriptions are recorded when received. Grant income is accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance. Investment income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities on a receivable basis. Income derived from other trading activities are recognised when the goods are dispatched. Income derived from trading relates to primary purpose trading which is acceptable under charity law and exempt from taxation.

1.7 Expenditure

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and allocated between the expenditure categories of the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) on a basis to reflect the use of the resources. Where support costs cannot be directly attributed they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of the resources as shown in note 5.

Fundraising and publicity costs represent direct and apportioned costs relating to supporter recruitment and retention and fundraising activities and events.

Costs of trading activities represents direct and apportioned costs relating to the sale of merchandise and other sales of goods.

Charitable activity expenditure represents direct and apportioned costs relating to carrying out our strategic objectives as set out in the Trustees Annual Report.

Support costs include governance, staff, office and general management costs including human resources, IT and the finance function incurred to support income generation and delivery of the charitable activities. Support costs also include irrecoverable VAT where it is not able to be directly attributed to specific activities, where this is not possible irrecoverable VAT costs are apportioned.

Governance costs represent direct and indirect costs incurred relating to strategic management and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

1.8 Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently stated at cost less depreciation.

The Group's capitalisation threshold is £5,000, such that fixed assets costing less than this amount are not capitalised and are therefore included in resources expended under the appropriate heading.

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Freehold buildings 2% straight line per annum Refurbishments 10% straight line per annum Sanctuary improvements 20% straight line per annum Equipment, fixtures and fittings 25% reducing balance per annum Motor vehicles 25% reducing balance per annum

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset and is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.

When freehold land is disposed of, but sporting rights are retained, the value of these rights is written down to £1 as they are not considered to have a residual or realisable value for the Group.

At each reporting end date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss.

• 38 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1.9 Stock

Stock is stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stock to their present location and condition. Items held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured at the lower of replacement cost and cost.

Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

1.10 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held on call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank Overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities. During the year the Group had no bank overdrafts.

For the purpose of the cash flow statement, cash comprises cash in hand and short-term deposits.

1.11 Financial instruments

Financial instruments are recognised in the Group and Charity balance sheets when the Group or Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

The League Against Cruel Sports Group has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Financial assets held at amortised cost comprise cash and bank in hand, together with trade and other debtors. Financial liabilities held at amortised cost comprise trade and other creditors. Financial assets and Financial liabilities classified as receivable or payable within one year are not amortised.

Investment in the subsidiary undertaking is held at cost less impairment.

1.12 Leases

Rentals incurred under operating leases are charged to the SOFA on a straight line basis over the period of the lease. Incentives are treated as income and are credited to the SOFA on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

1.13 Employee pensions

The Group operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged in the accounts as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.

1.14 Value Added Tax

Value Added Tax is partially recoverable by the Group, and as such the irrecoverable portion of VAT is included as a cost in the SOFA and asset values.

1.15 Taxation

The League Against Cruel Sports charitable company is exempt from Corporation Tax on the grounds that it is a charity and all of its income is applied for charitable purposes.

League Against Cruel Sport (UK) Limited is not operated for profit.

1.16 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the amount due after any discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts.

1.17 Creditors

Creditors are recognised where the Group and Charity has a present obligation resulting from past events that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at the settlement amount allowing for any trade discounts.

• 39 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2 Donations and legacies

Legacies receivable Donations and gifts Grants receivable Membership fees	Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds 2024 £ £ £ 2,461,445 - 2,461,445 949,338 41,564 990,902 9,068 - 9,068 90,431 - 90,431 3,510,282 41,564 3,551,846	Total 2023 £ 1,625,565 1,065,865 752 93,220 2,785,402

2023 income includes restricted funds of £nil Legacies receivable and £43,271 Donations and gifts.

At the end of the financial year, the Charity has been advised of a number of legacies which indicated the League as a beneficiary. These have not been included in the Statement of Financial Activities as the Charity's final entitlement has not yet been established by the executors. The estimated values for these legacies amounts to approximately £1.3m (2023: £1.9m). Many of these legacies are residual legacies where the timing of receipt is uncertain.

Grants receivable relates to the Countryside Stewardship Grant £9,068 (2023:£nil)and Government Energy Support scheme £nil (2023: £752).

3 Other trading activities

Raffle and lotto ticket sales Merchandise and other sales of goods	Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds 2024 £ £ £ 87,516 - 87,516 44,246 - 44,246 131,762 - 131,762	Total 2023 £ 79,072 27,674 106,746

There were no restricted funds received in 2023.

4 Investment income

Interest receivable Rental income	Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds 2024 £ £ £ 59,363 - 59,363 3,600 - 3,600 62,963 - 62,963	Total 2023 £ 48,082 3,600 51,682

There were no restricted funds received in 2023.

• 40 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
5 Expenditure
Direct Staff Direct Support Total Total
costs costs costs 2024 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Raising funds
Fundraising and publicity costs 215,321 260,563 136,381 612,265 399,269
Costs of trading activities 21,253 80,123 - 101,376 53,539
236,574 340,686 136,381 713,641 452,808
Charitable activities
End Hunting with Dogs 556,961 251,351 231,649 1,039,961 809,819
End Shooting of animals for 'Sport' 203,888 103,347 88,049 395,284 440,163
End Fighting of animals for 'Sport' 124,777 39,986 47,218 211,981 152,533
Win Hearts and Minds 439,483 116,061 159,210 714,754 621,461
1,325,109 510,745 526,126 2,361,980 2,023,976
Total expenditure 1,561,683 851,431 662,507 3,075,621 2,476,784
Analysis of Support costs
Governance Staff Office and Total Total
costs costs admin. costs 2024 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Raising funds
Fundraising and publicity costs 35,305 47,188 53,888 136,381 87,706
- - - - -
Costs of trading activities
35,305 47,188 53,888 136,381 87,706
Charitable activities
End Hunting with Dogs 59,968 80,150 91,531 231,649 177,890
End Shooting of Animals for 'Sport' 22,793 30,465 34,791 88,049 96,689
End Fighting of Animals for 'Sport' 12,224 16,337 18,657 47,218 33,506
Win Hearts and Minds 41,215 55,086 62,909 159,210 136,514
136,200 182,038 207,888 526,126 444,599
Total expenditure 171,505 229,226 261,776 662,507 532,305
----- End of picture text -----

Support costs are allocated on the basis of % of time spent in proportion to direct costs.

Governance costs includes statutory audit fees of £17,500 (2023: £16,300).

Comparative 2023 expenditure is analysed in note 18.

• 41 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

6 Employees

Staff costs Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs The average number of employees during the year was: Fundraising and publicity Charitable activities Support	2024 £ 1,522,024 151,983 121,394 1,795,401 2024 Number 5 31 5 41	2023 £ 1,408,118 135,456 113,371 1,656,945 2023 Number 4 33 5 42

The number of employees whose emoluments exceeds £60,000 in the year was:

		2024	2023
		Number	Number
£60,001	- £70,000	1	-
£70,001	- £80,000	1	2
£80,001	- £90,000	1	-
£90,001	- £100,000	-	1

During the year a total of 6 (2023: 6) staff were recognised as key management personnel. At the year end there were 4 key management personnel in post.

The total remuneration and benefits received by senior management personnel in the year was £342,855 (2023: £391,187) and pension contributions paid by the Charity in respect of these employees during the year was £27,301 (2023: £31,295).

Included within staff costs is an amount of £7,850 relating to a payment in connection with a temination of a contract (2023: £Nil).

Trustees

None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any renumeration during the year (2023: £Nil). Three Trustees were reimbursed expenses relating to travel and subsistence costs totalling £582 (2023: Four Trustees totalling £1,159).

• 42 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

7 Group and Charity Fixed assets

Cost At 1 January 2024 Additions Disposals At 31 December 2024 Deprecation and impairment At 1 January 2024 Charge for the year Disposals At 31 December 2024 Net book value At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2023	Freehold land and buildings £ 1,889,899 16,250 - 1,906,149 275,563 32,944 - 308,507 1,597,642 1,614,336	Office and Computer Equipment £ 19,718 - - 19,718 15,692 1,006 - 16,698 3,020 4,026	Motor Vehicles £ 45,457 - - 45,457 42,847 652 - 43,499 1,958 2,610	Total £ 1,955,074 16,250 - 1,971,324 334,102 34,602 - 368,704 1,602,620 1,620,972

As at 31 December 2024 there were capital commitments of £Nil (2023: £Nil) not included within fixed assets.

• 43 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

8 Financial instruments

Group 2024 £ Financial assets measured at amortised cost 3,153,718 Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost 159,545 Total interest income for financial assets held under amortised cost 59,363 For further details please refer to Accounting Policy note 1.11. 9 Stocks Group 2024 £ Finished goods and goods for resale 13,412 10 Debtors Group 2024 £ Prepayments and accrued income 1,960,366 Amounts owed by group undertakings - Tax recoverable 52,484 Other debtors 276 2,013,126	2023 £ 2,440,405 100,196 48,082 2023 £ 18,666 2023 £ 966,961 - 39,395 667 1,007,023	Charity 2024 £ 3,103,363 160,209 59,363 Charity 2024 £ 13,412 Charity 2024 £ 1,960,366 - 52,484 276 2,013,126	2023 £ 2,390,793 101,601 48,082 2023 £ 18,666 2023 £ 966,961 - 39,395 667 1,007,023

Prepayments and accrued income include accruals for legacies where, in accordance with the Charities SORP, we are satisfied that we have entitlement, probability and financial measurement. At the year end accrued legacy income totals £1,821,998 (2023: £809,527), and includes £35,000 (2023: £43,750) due after one year in respect of land held in trust for the League.

11 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Trade creditors Amounts owed to group undertakings Accruals and deferred income Other creditors	Group 2024 £ 92,725 - 78,239 1,592 172,556	2023 £ 55,637 - 53,988 1,051 110,676	Charity 2024 £ 92,725 663 78,239 1,592 173,219	2023 £ 55,637 1,405 53,988 1,051 112,081

12 Pension costs

The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the Charity to the fund. Contributions payable by the Charity for the year amounted to £121,394 (2023: £113,371); as referred to in note 6.

• 44 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

13 Funds

The income funds of the Group and Charity include unrestricted and restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

Restricted funds Wentworth Sanctuary legacy Wentworth Godalming office legacy Greyhounds Cove Down Sanctuary REVIVE Other small restricted funds Total Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Designated funds: Legacy equalisation fund Fundraised Income equalisation fund Expenditure risk fund Supporter Acquisition General Election 2024 campaign General funds Total Unrestricted funds Total funds	Balance at 1 January 2024 £ 38,398 50,817 5,441 15,175 - - 109,831 793,000 467,000 276,000 100,000 90,000 2,260,981 3,986,981 4,096,812	Movements in funds Income Expenditure £ £ - - - (4,235) - (1,336) 30,000 (36,620) 10,000 (10,000) 1,564 (1,564) 41,564 (53,755) - - - - - - - - - - 3,705,007 (3,021,866) 3,705,007 (3,021,866) 3,746,571 (3,075,621)	Transfers £ - - - - - - - 50,000 (60,000) 20,000 15,000 (90,000) 65,000 - -	Balance at 31 December 2024 £ 38,398 46,582 4,105 8,555 - - 97,640 843,000 407,000 296,000 115,000 - 3,009,122 4,670,122 4,767,762

Restricted funds

The Wentworth legacies are restricted for use on the sanctuaries property at Baronsdown and the Godalming premises respectively.

The Greyhounds project is being funded by an individual supporter to enable us to undertake special investigations work into Greyhound puppy farming.

The Cove Down sanctuary project is in respect of funding received from the Lister Charitable Trust for development of the sanctuary; involving habitat restoration and rewilding on a protected area of land as a sanctuary for wildlife.

REVIVE is a coalition of social, environmental and animal welfare organisations working together for a common aim to bring about reform to Scotland's grouse moors and the League is a major contributor to the coalition's work. The funding received from the Leet Hill Charitable Trust is in support the REVIVE coalition costs.

Other restricted funds represents funding received towards charitable activities where the individual restricted funds total no greater than £5,000 and their associated expenditure.

General unrestricted funds

The general unrestricted funds are used to support our reserves policy on page 54 and provide additional cover for unexpected risks.

Designated at the end of 2024.

The aim of the legacy equalisation fund is to moderate the effect of fluctuations in the flow of legacy income due to its unpredictability, this is based on an annual income risk assessment.

The aim of the fundraising equalisation fund is to moderate the effect of economic uncertainties on our supporter donations, this is based on an annual income risk assessment.

The aim of the expenditure risk fund is to provide protection to agreed campaign budgets from unexpected increases in costs, for example from high inflation rate increases in the economy.

Supporter acquisition programme is a project for 2025 with the aim to rebuild our supporter base following the impact of recent economic issues, including the 2022 cost of living increase and ongoing overseas conflicts.

General funds include the trading subsidiary League Against Cruel Sports (UK) Limited reserves of £51,006, please refer to note 17 for further information.

Comparative 2023 figures are detailed in Note 19.

• 45 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

14 Analysis of net assets between funds

Fund balances at 31 December 2024 are represented by: Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Non-current liabilities	General Designated funds funds £ £ 1,556,215 - 1,625,463 1,661,000 (172,556) - - - 3,009,122 1,661,000 Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds £ 46,405 51,235 - - 97,640	Total £ 1,602,620 3,337,698 (172,556) - 4,767,762

Comparative 2023 figures are detailed in Note 20.

15 Commitments under operating leases

At 31 December 2024 the Charity had lease payment commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as follows:

Payments due: Within one year Between two and five years Over five years	2024 £ - - - - Land and	2023 £ - - - - buildings	2024 2023 £ £ 13,315 3,428 17,336 7,121 - - 30,651 10,549 Office equipment

16 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023: none). Donations, memberships subscriptions and lottery plays made by the Trustees in the year totalled £733 (2023: £1,128).

17 Investment in subsidiary

The investment of £12 represents 100% of the ordinary £10 share capital in League Against Cruel Sports (UK) Limited, the principle activity of which is administer the trading activities of the group. League Against Cruel Sports (UK) Limited is a private company limited by shares registered in England and Wales.

The total income for the year ended 31 December 2024 of the League Against Cruel Sports (UK) Limited amounted to £Nil (2023: £Nil), expenditure totalled £Nil (2023: £Nil). Net payments, cash and asset transfers totalling £Nil (2023: £Nil) have been made from League Against Cruel Sports (UK) Limited to its parent company, and registered charity, The League Against Cruel Sports.

As at 31 December 2024 League Against Cruel Sports (UK) Limited had fixed assets of £Nil (2023: £Nil), net current assets of £51,018 (2023: £51,018) and reserves of £51,006 (2023: £51,006). In 2024 it reported a surplus of £Nil (2023: £Nil).

Details of the Charity's subsidiaries at 31 December 2024 are as follows:

Name of undertaking Registered Nature of Class of % Held office business shares held Direct Indirect League Against Cruel Sports England and See above Ordinary £1 100.00 - (UK) Limited Wales shares

• 46 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

18 Comparative 2023 Expenditure

Raising funds Fundraising and publicity costs Costs of trading activities Charitable activities End Hunting with Dogs End Shooting of Animals for 'Sport' End Fighting of Animals for 'Sport' Win Hearts and Minds Total expenditure Comparative 2023 Analysis of Support costs Raising funds Fundraising and publicity costs Costs of trading activities Charitable activities End Hunting with Dogs End Shooting of Animals for 'Sport' End Fighting of Animals for 'Sport' Win Hearts and Minds Total expenditure

Direct Staff Direct Support Total costs costs costs 2023 £ £ £ £ 107,004 204,559 87,706 399,269 8,970 44,569 - 53,539 115,974 249,128 87,706 452,808 494,248 137,681 177,890 809,819 246,085 97,389 96,689 440,163 81,943 37,084 33,506 152,533 435,134 49,813 136,514 621,461 1,257,410 321,967 444,599 2,023,976 1,373,384 571,095 532,305 2,476,784 Governance Staff Office and Total costs costs admin. costs 2023 £ £ £ £ 9,167 42,515 36,024 87,706 - - - - 9,167 42,515 36,024 87,706 18,593 86,232 73,065 177,890 10,106 46,870 39,713 96,689 3,502 16,242 13,762 33,506 14,268 66,176 56,070 136,514 46,469 215,520 182,610 444,599 55,636 258,035 218,634 532,305

Support costs are allocated on the basis of % of time spent in proportion to direct costs.

• 47 -

THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

19 Comparative 2023 Funds

Restricted funds Wentworth Sanctuary legacy Wentworth Godalming office legacy Greyhounds Cove Down Sanctuary Time for Change Coalition Other small restricted funds Total Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Designated funds: Legacy equalisation fund Fundraised Income equalisation fund Expenditure risk fund Supporter Acquisition General Election 2024 campaign Designated funds General funds Total Unrestricted funds Total funds	Balance at 1 January 2023 £ 38,398 50,817 7,829 2,580 - - 99,624 - - - - - - 3,530,142 3,530,142 3,629,766	Movements in funds Income Expenditure £ £ - - - - - (2,388) 32,000 (19,405) 10,000 (10,000) 1,271 (1,271) 43,271 (33,064) - - - - - - - - - - - - 2,900,559 (2,443,720) 2,900,559 (2,443,720) 2,943,830 (2,476,784)	Transfers £ - - - - - - - 793,000 467,000 276,000 100,000 90,000 1,726,000 (1,726,000) - -	Balance at 31 December 2023 £ 38,398 50,817 5,441 15,175 - - 109,831 793,000 467,000 276,000 100,000 90,000 1,726,000 2,260,981 3,986,981 4,096,812

20 Comparative 2023 Analysis of net assets between funds

Fund balances at 31 December 2022 are represented by: Fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Non-current liabilities	General Designated funds funds £ £ 1,578,028 - 793,629 1,726,000 (110,676) - - - 2,260,981 1,726,000 Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds £ 42,944 66,887 - - 109,831	Total £ 1,620,972 2,586,516 (110,676) - 4,096,812

• 48 -