E-Sign ID: 653280c5-115b-46ec-887a-9f402f988277
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 08629047 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1153572
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
FOR
USWSU
E-Sign ID: 653280c5-115b-46ec-887a-9f402f988277
USWSU
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 to 8 |
| Report of the Independent Auditors | 9 to 10 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 11 |
| Balance Sheet | 12 |
| Cash Flow Statement | 13 |
| Notes to the Cash Flow Statement | 14 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 15 to 23 |
E-Sign ID: 653280c5-115b-46ec-887a-9f402f988277
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
USWSU
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the period ended 31 July 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The objectives of the University of South Wales Students' Union are:
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The advancement of education of students at the University of South Wales.
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Promoting the interests and welfare of students at the University during their course of study.
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Representing, advising, and supporting students.
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Providing social, cultural, sporting, and recreational activities, and forums for discussions and debate, for the personal development of our students.
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Campaign, influence public opinion, and seek to influence government and other institutions regarding the reform, development, and implementation of appropriate policies.
The Students' Union planned to achieve this through:
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Advancement of the education of students through the provision of opportunities to engage in activities that are both academic and extra-curricular, such as sports, fundraising and volunteering, and political debate.
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Contribute to the employability agenda of the University of South Wales by providing opportunities for students to develop key employability skills. through developing student jobs and volunteering opportunities throughout the regions. Engage with, and fully support, the University's employability initiatives, and work in partnership with them whenever possible.
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Maintain a high-level student experience across all campuses and strive, where possible, to create parity of student experience, irrespective of the place of study. The Union is mindful of student demographic and strives to provide services that enhance their student experience.
The trustees of USWSU have had due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and maintain oversight of this through regular meetings held throughout the academic year to ensure strategic oversight and accountability.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The Board of Trustees reviews organisational objectives annually, with work underway on a new strategy to be implemented from 2026. During the year, USWSU continued to deliver and expand its activities in support of its charitable purposes, achieving the following:
Empowering Democratic Action
Democratic engagement remains central to USWSU’s mission. USWSU is led by student leaders across all levels of the University from Course Reps to Full-time Sabbatical Officers. In total, we had over 500 student representatives, most of which were course reps. Elsewhere there were also 150 student leaders who formed parts of Club and Society Committees, ensuring that democratic action within constituted student groups was carried out and reflected in the wider organisation work. In addition, students reviewed the Union’s constitution and governing documents and attended the Annual General Meeting, with over 200 students participating in various policy discussions.
The annual Leadership Race achieved its highest turnout to date, with 8.6% of the student body voting. This involved more than 25 candidates across 19 roles. While the Union continues to prioritise the quality of democratic engagement over volume, these results demonstrate increasing student empowerment and participation in shaping the organisation’s direction.
Celebrating Success and Enhancing Activities
The Union facilitates a wide range of activities that support its charitable objects, including celebrating excellence across the University.
The twelfth annual Student Choice Awards was held this year at the Cardiff SU Space, creating a more intimate event setting. Over 1,100 nominations were submitted, recognising the work and impact of lecturers, course leaders, supervisors, student representatives, and inspirational students across the University.
USWSU strengthened partnerships across the University through collaborative activity with academic subject areas and teams within the Student Life Directorate. A notable new initiative was the inaugural “campus 2 campws” event, which saw over 50 staff and students walk 13 miles from the Glyntaff campus to the Cardiff campus, raising donations for the University’s Student Stationery Cupboard and, the charity, Brynawel.
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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
Sports participation remained consistent with around 380 student participants across 13 sports competing in over 130 fixtures across BUCS. Out of these, the largest sporting areas continue to be Football with 96 members, followed by Badminton with 55 members.
Through the Union’s support for competitive sport via BUCS, students achieved strong outcomes, including Women’s Football continuing to compete at premiership level. USWSU also participated in its third Varsity competition with UWE Bristol Students’ Union, with closer overall results than previous years, reflecting improvements in sporting performance.
Revitalising Spaces and Places
In response to stakeholder feedback and ongoing assessment of student needs, USWSU worked with University partners to revitalise several Union-designated spaces that had become outdated.
At Treforest, MEDR funding supported significant redevelopment of the social learning space, including new flooring, soft furnishings, and lockers for commuting students. A disused commercial outlet was repurposed into a PlayStation room, while a new pantry area with microwaves was created to support students accessing warm food. The Coal House bar was refreshed with new dart lanes, a pool table, and the removal of fixed furniture to increase flexibility for events.
In Cardiff, the Union collaborated with the Faculty of Business and Creative Industries to install new staging in the SU Space, enhancing its use as both a performance venue and teaching resource. At Newport, the Students’ Union Pod on B-Floor was refurbished with support from the Student Life Directorate and now functions as a multi-purpose shared space for Union and University staff to meet students and provide information, further strengthening collaborative provision across campuses.
Financial position
The total income for the period was £2,085,898, £1,268,000 of which is the subvention grant received from the University of South Wales, with a further £60,000 contributed towards continued support of the Union through a period of transformation. Income from charitable activities decreased to £485,796 (2024: £774,410). Other trading activities increased slightly to give a total of £91,964 (2024: £83,005).
Expenditure for the period totalled £1,911,994 (2024: £2,236,817), which results in a surplus for the period of £173,298 before accounting for the unwinding for the discounting of the pension provision of £76,298 (2024: £50,192), which gave an overall surplus of £97,606 (2024: £25,928).
The balance sheet position at 31 July shows negative unrestricted funds of £2,453,243 (2024: £2,550,849). The majority of this relates to the provision for the defined pension liability of £2,422,089 (2023: £2,584,738).
Reserves policy
The Board of Trustees have reviewed USWSU's reserve requirement and recognises that a liquidity cash reserve reflective of the cash trading position is required for troughs in our funding. The Trustees recognise that reserves are part of USWSU's unrestricted funds, which are freely available to spend on any of USWSU's charitable purposes. When deciding on the level of reserves, the Board recognise that reserve levels which are too high could limit the amount USWSU spends on charitable activities, thereby reducing the benefits to USWSU members. Likewise, the Board recognises a risk to USWSU and its future activities if reserves are too low. USWSU's reserves cover an operating surplus, designated capital commitments, and designated service investment.
The Board has set an ideal level of reserves at between 2 - 3 months operating costs, amounting to approximately £318,500 - £477,500 based on 2025 expenditure levels. There are no free reserves at 31 July 2025. Although reserves after adjustments for pension provision and fixed assets would be £38,929. Last year’s reserves after adjustments were negative £23,248.
USWSU expects to work towards this longer-term goal through a continued transformation plan that will deliver surplus balances until targeted levels are achieved.
Pension liabilities
The Students’ Union participates in the Students’ Union Superannuation Scheme (SUSS), which is a defined benefit scheme whose membership consists of employees of students’ unions and related bodies throughout the country. Benefits in respect of service up to 30 September 2003 are accrued on a “final salary” basis, with benefits in respect of service from 1 October 2003 accruing on a Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) basis. With effect from 30 September 2011 the scheme closed to future accrual.
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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
The most recent valuation of the scheme was carried out as at 30 June 2022 and showed that the market value of the scheme’s assets was £106.7m with these assets representing 44% of the value of benefits that had accrued to members after allowing for expected future increases in earnings. The deficit on an ongoing funding basis amounted to £133.6m. The assumptions which have the most significant effect upon the results of the Valuation are those relating to the rate of return on investments and the rates of increase in salaries and pensions.
The following assumptions applied at 30 June 2022:-
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The investment return would be 4.0% per annum before retirement and 2.0% per annum after retirement
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Pensions accruing on a post-1997 basis would revalue at 3.7% per annum and 3.4% per annum on the post 2000 basis
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Present and future pensions would increase at rates specified by Scheme rules, with appropriate assumptions where these are dependent on inflation.
The 2022 valuation extended the scheme’s recovery plan until May 2037, and recommended a monthly contribution requirement by each Participating Employer. This was expressed in monetary terms intended to clear the ongoing funding deficit over a period of 15 years, and increased by 5% in October 2023 and by at least 5% each year thereafter. These contributions also include an allowance for the cost of the ongoing administrative and operational expenses of running the Scheme. These rates will be formally reviewed following completion of the next valuation due with an effective date of 30 June 2025. Surpluses or deficits which arise at future valuations will also impact on the Students’ Union’s future contribution commitment. In addition to the above contributions, the Students’ Union also pays its share of the scheme’s levy to the Pension Protection Fund.
SUSS is a multi-employer scheme, and as such, it is not possible to account for it as a defined benefit scheme because the share of the overall deficit cannot be allocated to individual participants. The liability included in the accounts is therefore calculated as being the net present value of future funding payments.
In accordance with FRS 102, the net present value of the future contributions required over 13 years to clear the funding deficit is £2,422,089 (2023 - £2,584,738). In calculating this net present value, annual increases of 5% have been made and a discount rate of 5.2% representing the typical yield of high-quality corporate bonds has then been applied.
Going concern
The University accepted the USWSU plan for Transformation and has agreed to provide subvention funding for 2025/26, with commitment from the SU to agree a funding agreement and provide longer-term budget forecasts. The University is committed to working with the USWSU and has been encouraged by progress made.
The trustees have assessed the Students' Union’s ability to continue as a going concern. They have considered several factors when forming their conclusions, including liquidity, cash resources, liabilities, and support from the University of South Wales. The trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that adequate resources are available to continue to operate for at least 18 months from the date of signing the financial statements and have therefore continued to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. The University continue to support the Students’ Union.
Principal funding
USWSU's funding is derived in two main ways: Through a subvention from the University of South Wales, and through income from commercial services. Payment of the subvention grant is transferred monthly.
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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
USWSU
STRATEGY
The 2024/25 financial period marked a period of relative stability and constructive relationship-building between the Students’ Union and the University, following several years of challenging relations. Under the leadership of the new Chair of the Board of Trustees and the Chief Executive - whose secondment has been extended to July 2027 - the Students’ Union has worked to rebuild trust and collaborate with the University on initiatives that directly enhance the student experience. Examples include participation in challenge-based curriculum validation activities, jointly delivered student and staff wellbeing events, and support for the development of new Students’ Union facilities, most notably the new “Cwtch” social space within the Treforest SU building. These developments reflect a shared recognition that students thrive when institutions work together with clarity, ambition, and unity of purpose.
On appointment, the Chief Executive made it a priority to rapidly strengthen systems and processes to ensure robust financial management and restore confidence in the Students’ Union’s financial position. Working alongside external consultants, Counterculture, several improvements were implemented, including the completion of the 2023/24 accounts, the introduction of monthly management accounts, and the development of a high-level three-year budget. Progress has been regularly reported to the University’s Finance & Resources Committee, where there is clear recognition that significant improvement has been achieved within a relatively short period. This progress was formally demonstrated in late Autumn 2025 through the joint approval by both the University and the Students’ Union of a new Financial Agreement outlining the terms and conditions of the block grant. This milestone signals not only improved governance but a deeper commitment to shared accountability and long-term sustainability.
Internally, the Board of Trustees has focused on stabilising the organisation while laying the foundations for a Students’ Union that drives positive change and delivers meaningful impact - today and in the years to come. To guide this transformation, a new strategy has been approved that sets out a bold, future-focused direction for the organisation. Our vision is clear: “your amazing Students’ Union that is inclusive, fun, connected and excellent to make your student life better wherever, whenever, however and whatever you study at USW.” Our purpose is equally compelling: “to put students first by creating opportunities, delivering outstanding services, and fostering a community across every campus and mode of study.”
This strategy signals a step-change in who we are and how we will operate. It is not simply a plan - it is a commitment:
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A commitment to students that their Students’ Union will be courageous, agile, and unequivocally student-led
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A commitment to the Trustee Board that progress will be transparent, measurable, and celebrated, and
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A commitment to the wider University community that the Students’ Union will serve as a model of collaboration, professionalism, and innovation
PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The Students’ Union has developed a new risk register aligned with the priorities and enablers of the new strategy.
Several strategic risks and uncertainties have been carried forward from the previous risk register - most notably our relationship with the University. However, positive progress has been made. For example, as indicated, a new Financial Agreement has been approved, and a revised Relationship Agreement has been prepared for consideration by the Trustee Board and Board of Governors. This revised agreement places a stronger emphasis on regular dialogue between the Students’ Union and the University regarding emerging opportunities and challenges.
The Students’ Union Superannuation Scheme (SUSS) - the closed pension scheme of which USWSU was a member - continues to pose a long-term financial risk. Although the fund is closed to future contributions, former participating organisations remain responsible for deficit-recovery payments. These payments are increasing by 5% annually until the end of the recovery period, which is currently projected for May 2037. This situation represents a sustained financial pressure, and it is anticipated that the Students’ Union, with the support of the University, will review its position regarding SUSS during Summer 2026.
The decline in student enrolments in higher education, including at USW, presents a significant strategic risk and creates uncertainty about the future. This risk could affect the Students’ Union in two key ways.
First, the block grant is partly dependent on student numbers; therefore, a decline in enrolments may result in reduced financial support from the University. In line with the Financial Agreement, the Students’ Union will prepare a 2026/27 budget and an accompanying impact report by early Spring. These documents will inform discussions regarding the block grant, including the value added by the Students’ Union within the wider University ecosystem, for example, in student recruitment, retention and success.
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Second, lower student numbers may reduce demand for commercial services such as events, catering, and retail, limiting the organisation’s ability to deliver these services at previous levels. The Students’ Union has already experienced reduced performance in several commercial areas, particularly retail and food sales. While decreased footfall is a contributing factor, there is also a need to assess whether the current offer aligns with students’ changing expectations and behaviour. An initial review of commercial operations has been completed and will inform the development of a new Commercial Strategy ahead of the next academic year.
The new risk register captures these and other strategic risks - such as effective multi-campus service provision, safe participation in student-led activities, robust contingency management procedures, and legislative compliance. These risks will be considered at every Trustee Board meeting to ensure that risks are consistently identified, assessed, and monitored, and to safeguard the Students’ Union’s ability to achieve its long-term vision and strategic priorities.
FUTURE PLANS
The Students’ Union now stands at a significant juncture in its organisational development - one shaped not by our past trajectory, but by the direction in which we intend to progress. The new strategy will serve both as a guiding framework and an operational blueprint as we continue to build an amazing Students’ Union that is proudly:
Inclusive - Fun - Connected - Excellent
Supported by a solid foundation, strengthened partnerships, and a clearly defined vision, we are ready to progress toward becoming the Students’ Union that our members expect and deserve - enhancing student life at USW. We recognise that implementing this strategy will bring challenges in the short to medium term, particularly within a higher education environment that continues to evolve rapidly. Yet we face this reality with confidence and purpose. Our commitment to investing in our people - ensuring they are equipped, supported, connected, and inspired - remains central to our pursuit of excellence in everything we do.
During Spring and Summer 2026, we will prepare for our engagement with the “Quality Students’ Union” framework, led by NUS Charity, which we will undertake during the next academic year. Upon completing Parts A and B of the framework (by Spring 2027), we will achieve QSU verification. This recognition will assure our quality to our members, the University, and our strategic partners. We fully acknowledge that this process will be demanding and may require the reconsideration - and, where necessary, transformation - of established practices. Nevertheless, this engagement is essential to our strategic development as a professional, respected, dependable, and impactful organisation.
We also look forward to welcoming Professor Osama Khan, who will join the University of South Wales in May 2026 as Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive. His strong commitment to enhancing the student experience and his enthusiasm for collaborative working across the USW community mark an exciting opportunity. The Students’ Union stands ready to work alongside Professor Khan and the University’s senior leadership team to shape a bold, ambitious future - one that positions USW as a destination of choice for students, colleagues, partners, and the communities we proudly serve.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
USWSU is a Students' Union within the meaning of the Education Act 1994. The Union is devoted to promoting the education, interests and welfare of its members, students at the University of South Wales. It is the recognised independent representative body of students at the University.
The charity is a registered charitable company that is limited by guarantee. The charity is governed by the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Trustee selection methods
Not more than four Sabbatical Trustees shall be elected by the Student Members of the Union at an election held in accordance with the Standing Orders and shall remain in office for a term of usually twelve months, as specified in the Standing Orders. The term of office may be shorter or longer on a transitional basis to coincide with the alteration of the year-start or year-end.
Student Trustees may be re-elected for a further non-renewable term of usually one year. The term of office may be shorter or longer on a transitional basis to coincide with the alteration of the year-start or year-end. The maximum period that a Student Trustee may serve is twenty-four months. The Trustees shall co-opt by a simple majority of those present and voting up to five such persons as they consider suitable to be charity trustees (having regard to their skills and experience) as Co-opted Trustees.
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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
Trustee induction and training
New trustees are trained at the beginning of each academic year to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities. This forms part of a comprehensive in-house/external training programme and focuses in depth on their full responsibilities, accountability and Nolan Principles.
Organisational structure
The Students' Union is run by students for students, supported by a number of staff, and overseen by a Board of Trustees.
Elections are held annually for the students at the University of South Wales to vote for their full-time and part-time student officers. These form the Student Council, who are responsible for the representation and campaigning function of the Students' Union.
The Board of Trustees are responsible for the legal, financial and governance arrangements of the Students' Union, and delegates day-to-day responsibility of their duties to the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Management Team.
Pay and remuneration
The arrangements for setting pay and remuneration of the Union's key management are in line with sector practice and take into account the financial performance of the Union. The Students' Union is a Living Wage Employer and ensures all employees are paid in accordance with relevant legislation governing pay.
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USWSU
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Company number
08629047 (England and Wales)
Registered Charity number 1153572
Registered office
University of South Wales Students’ Union Forest Grove Treforest Pontypridd Rhondda Cynon Taff CF37 1UF
Trustees
Officer Trustees
Md Irfanur Rahman Fahim President Appointed 1 July 2025 Abm Rahat Mubassir Appointed 1 July 2025 Rhodri Owain Morris-Stiff Appointed 1 July 2025 Imam Hossain Appointed 1 August 2024 Jahid Hasan Appointed 1 November 2024, Resigned 1 July 2025 Georgia Daisy Powell Appointed 1 July 2024, Resigned 1 July 2025 Dmsa Navid Appointed 1 August 2024, Resigned 1 July 2025
External Trustees Emilie Janette Tapping Chair Rebecca Nyasha Mamhende
Josef Walsh Richard Main MBE Stuart Leonard Williams
Richard Mark Cadwallader Lucy Claire Squire Katrina Cookson
Appointed 30 September 2024 Appointed 15 September 2023, Resigned 21 January 2025 Appointed 12 September 2023, Resigned 1 April 2025 Appointed 24 September 2023 Appointed 5 September 2023, Resigned 6 December 2024
Appointed 5 October 2023, Resigned 31 October 2024 Appointed 26 June 2025 Appointed 26 June 2025
Student Trustee
Katherine Louise Eyley Doreen Rassbach Holly Grindlay Nicky Kudzaishe Zhou
Appointed 11 January 2026 Appointed 5 April 2024, Resigned 22 August 2024 Appointed 13 May 2024 Appointed 5 April 2024, Resigned 21 October 2024
Senior Management Personnel
Sam Harris Michelle Howlin Richard Mark Cadwallader Emma Powell Ellis James Thomas
Interim CEO from 15 January 2024 to 22 August 2024 CEO from 12 June 2024 to 7 October 2024 CEO from 1 November 2024
Head of People & Operations from 15 January 2025 Clerk from 1 November 2023, Secretary from 22 August 2024, Head of Engagement from 15 January 2025
Auditors
HaysMac LLP 10 Queen Street Place London EC4R 1AG
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USWSU
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees (who are also the directors of USWSU for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In so far as the trustees are aware:
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there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and
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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 auditors are aware of that information.
AUDITOR
HaysMac LLP have been appointed in accordance with section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
In preparing this report, the trustees have taken advantage of the exemptions available to smaller companies, including from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
Report of the trustees, approved by order of the board of trustees, as the company directors, on 01/04/2026………………………………. and signed on the board’s behalf by:
E Tapping
………………………………………………
Emilie Tapping – Trustee & Chair
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PUBLIC / CYHOEDDUS
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF
USWSU
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of USWSU for the period ended 31 July 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the 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:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 July 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the period then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 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 Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company 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 Report of the Trustees. 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 this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the 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:
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the information given in the Report of the Trustees (which includes the directors’ report prepared for the purpose of company law) for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
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the directors’ report included within the Report of the Trustees has 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 Report of the Trustees (which incorporates the directors’ report).
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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adequate accounting records have not been kept by the charitable company; or
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the charitable company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
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PUBLIC / CYHOEDDUS
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF
USWSU
- 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 Report of the Trustees and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities set out on page 7, 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.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance 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 charitable company and the environment in which it operates, we identified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to company law and charity law, 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 Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011, payroll tax, sales tax and Health and Safety laws.
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 related to revenue recognition from charitable and other trading activities. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
-
Inspecting correspondence with regulators and tax authorities;
-
Discussions with management including consideration of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulation and fraud;
-
Evaluating management’s controls designed to prevent and detect irregularities; and
-
Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their 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. The 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 auditors' 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.
| Steve | Harper (Senior Statutory Auditor) | S Harper | 10 Queen Street Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| For and on behalf of HaysMac LLP, Statutory Auditor | London | ||
| Date: | 16/04/2026 | EC4R 1AG |
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USWSU
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
| Notes INCOME FROM Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities 6 Other trading activities 4 Investment income 5 Other Income Total EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities 7 Unwinding discount rate on defined benefit scheme provision 21 Total NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) AND NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
2025 Unrestricted funds £ 1,506,000 485,796 91,964 2,138 - 2,085,898 (1,911,994) (76,298) (1,988,292) 97,606 (2,550,849) (2,453,243) |
2024 Unrestricted funds £ 1,453,182 774,410 83,005 2,340 - |
|---|---|---|
| 2,312,937 | ||
| (2,236,817) (50,192) |
||
| (2,287,009) | ||
| 25,928 (2,576,777) |
||
| (2,550,849) |
The notes on pages 15 to 23 form part of these financial statements.
There were no recognised gains and losses other than those shown on the above Statement of Financial Activities.
There was no restricted income or expenditure in 2024 or 2025. All funds in both periods were unrestricted.
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Company number 08629047
USWSU
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 JULY 2025
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 13 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks 14 Debtors 15 Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 16 NET CURRENT (LIABILITIES)/ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES CREDITORS Amounts falling due after more than one year 17 PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES Other provisions 19 Pension liability 21 NET (LIABILITIES)/ ASSETS FUNDS Unrestricted funds 20 TOTAL FUNDS |
2025 £ 37,741 19,920 99,560 217,700 337,180 (366,075) (28,895) 8,846 - (40,000) (2,422,089) (2,453,243) (2,453,243) (2,453,243) |
2024 £ 57,137 51,237 49,188 142,005 |
|---|---|---|
| 242,430 | ||
| (207,444) | ||
| 34,986 | ||
| 92,123 (18,234) (40,000) (2,584,738) |
||
| (2,550,849) | ||
| (2,550,849) | ||
| (2,550,849) |
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
01/04/2026
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on …………………………... and were signed below on its behalf by:
E Tapping
……………………………………… Emilie Tapping – Trustee & Chair
The notes on pages 15 to 23 form part of these financial statements.
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PUBLIC / CYHOEDDUS
USWSU
CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
| Notes Cash flows from operating activities Cash (used in)/generated from operations 1 Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities Cash flows from Investing activities Purchased of tangible fixed assets Interest received Net cash used in investing activities Cash flows from financial activities Loan repayments in year Net cash used in financing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period |
2025 £ 91,791 91,791 - 2,138 2,138 (18,234) (18,234) 75,695 142,005 217,700 |
2024 £ (22,578) |
|---|---|---|
| (22,578) | ||
| - 2,340 |
||
| 2,340 | ||
| (20,100) | ||
| (20,100) | ||
| (40,338) 182,343 |
||
| 142,005 |
The notes on pages 15 to 23 form part of these financial statements.
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USWSU
NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
1. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
| Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the Statement of Financial Activities) Adjustments for: Depreciation charges Unwinding of pension scheme provision Interest received (Increase) in stocks Decrease/(increase) in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors Difference between pension charge and cash contributions Net cash (used in)/provided by operations |
2025 £ 97,606 19,396 76,298 (2,138) 31,317 (50,372) 158,630 (238,946) 91,791 |
2024 £ 25,928 21,561 50,192 (2,340) (7,900) 37,112 62,664 (209,795) |
|---|---|---|
| (22,578) |
2. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS
| Net cash Cash at bank and in hand Debt Debts falling due within 1 year Debts falling due after 1 year Total |
At 1/7/24 £ 142,005 142,005 (20,000) (18,234) (38,234) 103,771 |
Cash flow £ 75,695 75,695 3,433 18,234 21,667 97,362 |
At 31/7/25 £ 217,700 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 217,700 | |||
| (16,567) - |
|||
| (16,567) | |||
| 201,133 |
The notes on pages 15 to 23 form part of these financial statements.
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PUBLIC / CYHOEDDUS
USWSU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
1. STATUTORY INFORMATION
2.
USWSU is a registered charity and private company limited by guarantee, having no share capital, incorporated in Wales in the United Kingdom. The registered office is University of South Wales Students' Union, Forest Grove, Treforest, Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff, CF37 1UF. The nature of the company's operations and principal activities are disclosed within the Report of the Trustees.
In the event of the company being wound up, the liability of its members is limited to a sum of £1.
The financial statements are presented in Sterling (£), the company's functional currency, and rounded to the nearest pound.
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
There have been no material departures from Financial Reporting Standard 102.
Going concern
During the period the University placed a number of actions on the Union in order to continue their funding. The majority of these actions have been completed. The University and the Students' Union currently have a much-improved relationship.
The trustees have assessed the Student Union’s ability to continue as a going concern, they have considered several factors when forming their conclusions including liquidity, cash resources, liabilities, support available from government initiatives and the current position with the University of South Wales.
Like many organisations, the financial position has been, and will continue to be impacted by real-world events that will require ad hoc actions, but the trustees are confident in their ability to do so.
After assessing the impact of possible different scenarios, which assume continuing support from the University, the trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that adequate resources are available to continue to operate for at least 12 months from the date of signing the financial statements and have therefore continued to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. The trustees further confirm that they have not identified any material uncertainties in preparing the financial statements on the going concern basis.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.
Donations and legacies income includes grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature and are recognised where there is entitlement, probability of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Such income is only deferred when the donor specifies it must be used in future accounting periods or the donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement.
Income from charitable activities includes income received under contract or where entitlement to grant funding is subject to specific performance conditions. This income is recognised as the related services are provided and there is entitlement, probability of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Income is deferred when the amounts received are in advance of the performance of the service or event to which they relate.
Other income, including income from other trading activities, is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.
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USWSU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
2 ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Basis of recognition of liabilities
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate a cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Expenditure on charitable activities comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. ft includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Support costs are those costs that, whilst necessary to deliver an activity, do not themselves produce or constitute the output of the charitable activity. This includes governance costs which are those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the accountancy fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
Allocation and apportionment of costs
Alf costs are allocated between the expenditure categories on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource.
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are initially recorded at cost. The Union has implemented a minimum cost of £2,500 for capital items.
Depreciation is provided at 20% on cost and 33.33% in reducing balance per annum.
Investments
Fixed asset investments are stated at cost.
Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving items.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Financial instruments
The charity only 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 their settlement value.
Debtors with no stated interest rate and receivable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event 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 and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
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USWSU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The Union participates in the Students' Union Superannuation Scheme, a defined benefit scheme which is externally funded and contracted out of the State Second Pension. The fund is valued at least every three years by a professionally qualified independent actuary with the rates of contribution payable being determined by the trustees on the advice of the actuary. The scheme operates as a pooled arrangement, with contributions paid at a centrally agreed rate. As a consequence, no share of the underlying assets and liabilities can be directly attributed to the Union. Where a plan has been agreed to fund an identified deficit, a liability is recognised for the present value of the contributions payable that arise from that agreement with the resulting expense recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities.
Significant accounting judgements and estimates
Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other relevant factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, be likely to differ from the related actual results The most significant estimate relates to the discount rate utilized for the unwinding of the pension scheme liability. No other estimates or assumptions have been identified that have significant risk of causing material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.
3. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
| Subvention Grant Higher Education Funding Council for Wales Support grant Grants received, included in the above, are as follows: University of South Wales Grant 4. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES Travel and employment services Sponsorship and other trading activities 5. INVESTMENT INCOME Deposit account interest |
2025 2024 £ £ 1,446,000 1,268,000 - 12,000 60,000 173,182 |
|---|---|
| 1,506,000 1,453,182 |
|
| 2025 2024 £ £ 1,446,000 1,268,000 2025 2024 £ £ 69,227 55,197 22,737 27,808 |
|
| 91,964 83,005 |
|
| 2025 2024 £ £ 2,138 2,340 |
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USWSU
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
6. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Shop income Bar income Catering income ENTS department income SU Sport income |
2025 2024 £ £ 226,021 444,461 153,987 172,695 66,790 104,018 827 8,255 38,170 44,982 |
|---|---|
| 485,796 774,410 |
7. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
| General DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Staff costs Insurance Rent - Campus Centre Bar expenditure Shop expenditure Catering expenditure ENTS department expenditure SU Sport expenditure Irrecoverable VAT Training & development programme expenditure Welfare, representation Affiliations Minibus hire costs |
Direct costs (see note 8) £ 1,200,114 |
Support costs (see note 9) £ 711,880 |
Totals £ 1,911,994 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 £ 430,791 28,161 182,000 128,766 180,090 40,466 12,156 148,552 9,009 - 9,996 28,136 1,991 1,200,114 |
2024 £ 469,916 26,552 168,000 121,839 353,132 55,924 58,025 160,058 40,926 6,667 10,442 28,322 2,223 |
||
| 1,502,027 |
8. DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
9. SUPPORT COSTS
| General | Salaries £ Management £ Depreciation £ Governance costs £ Totals £ 389,499 178,664 19,396 124,321 711,880 |
|---|---|
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USWSU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
10. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Net Income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
| Auditor’s remuneration Depreciation - owned assets |
2025 2024 £ £ 22,945 17,240 19,396 21,561 |
|---|---|
11. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
The Union's sabbatical officers received the following amounts for the period ending 31 July 2025, as authorized in the Union's governing document. There were seven trustees (2024: four) who received remuneration in the year totaling £92,492 (2024: £62,566).
| Dmsa Navid Imam Hossain Georgia Powell Jahid Hasan Md Irfanur Rahman Fahim Rhodri Morris-Stiff Adm Rahat Mubassir |
Gross Pay £ 21,291 23,143 19,468 21,291 1,852 1,852 1,852 90,749 |
Pension £ 452 491 348 452 - - - |
|---|---|---|
| 1,743 |
Trustees' expenses
1 trustee was reimbursed in the year (2024: three) for a total of £144 (2024: £1,115) in respect of travel and subsistence in accordance with section 6.3 of the articles of association.
12. STAFF COSTS
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs and deficit contribution The average number of employees during the year was as follows: No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000. |
2025 £ 2024 £ 844,875 870,625 54,143 55,297 22,647 29,773 |
|---|---|
| 921,665 955,695 |
|
| 2025 2024 136 136 |
Total remuneration paid to key management personnel in the year was £227,087 (2024 - £319,750). During the year USWSU entered into compromise agreements with former members of key management personnel in the amount of £nil (2024: £84,213).
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USWSU
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
13. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Office Fixtures & Fittings £ COST At 1 July 2024 300,997 Additions - At 31 July 2025 300,997 DEPRECIATION At 1 July 2024 254,523 Charge for year 16,508 At 31 July 2025 271,031 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 July 2025 29,966 At 30 June 2024 46,474 14. STOCKS Stocks 15. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued income 16. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 18) Trade creditors Social security and other taxes VAT Other creditors Accruals and deferred income |
Motor Vehicles £ 15,995 - 15,995 5,332 2,888 8,220 7,775 10,663 2025 £ 19,920 2025 £ 30,353 69,206 99,560 2025 £ 16,567 250,977 11,980 (37,277) 89,174 34,654 366,075 |
Totals £ 316,992 - |
|---|---|---|
| 316,992 | ||
| 259,855 19,396 |
||
| 279,251 | ||
| 37,741 | ||
| 57,137 | ||
| 2024 £ 51,237 |
||
| 2024 £ 35,794 13,394 |
||
| 49,188 | ||
| 2024 £ 20,000 46,807 12,899 8,536 84,938 34,265 |
||
| 207,444 |
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USWSU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
17. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Bank loans (see note 18) | - | 18,234 | ||
| 18. | LOANS | |||
| An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below: | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Amounts falling due within one year on demand: | ||||
| Bank Loans | 16,567 | 20,000 | ||
| Amounts falling due between one and two years: | ||||
| Bank Loans | - | 18,234 | ||
| One bank loan bears interest of 4.42% p.a. over Base Rate. Instalments are paid monthly until | 2025. |
19. PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES
| The charity had the following provisions during the year: At 1 July 2024 Additions in the period At 31 July 2025 |
2025 £ 40,000 - |
|---|---|
| 40,000 |
The provision relates to the estimated taxation liabilities where there is uncertainty over the amount and timing of the amounts due.
20. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS Net movement in funds, included in the above areas follows: |
At 01/07/24 £ (2,550,849) (2,550,849) |
Net movement in funds £ 97,606 97,606 |
At 31/07/25 £ (2,453,243) |
|---|---|---|---|
| (2,453,243) | |||
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Income £ 2,085,898 2,085,898 |
Expenditure on charitable activities £ (1,911,994) (1,911,994) |
Unwinding discount rate £ (76,298) (76,298) |
Movement in funds £ 97,606 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97,606 | ||||
| Page 21 |
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USWSU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
Comparatives for movement in funds
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
At 01/07/23 £ (2,576,777) (2,576,777) |
Net movement in funds £ 25,928 25,928 |
At 30/06/24 £ (2,550,849) |
|---|---|---|---|
| (2,550,849) |
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Income £ 2,312,937 2,312,937 |
Expenditure on charitable activities £ (2,236,817) (2,236,817) |
Unwinding discount rate £ (50,192) (50,192) |
Movement in funds £ 25,928 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25,928 |
21. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS
| At 1 July 2024 Amounts paid Unwinding of discounted scheme At 31 July 2025 |
2025 £ 2,584,738 (238,947) 76,298 2,422,089 |
2024 £ 2,744,341 (209,795) 50,192 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,584,738 |
The above schedule shows the present value at the year- end for the multi-employer defined benefit Students' Union Superannuation Scheme.
The Union participates in the Students' Union Superannuation Scheme, which is a defined benefit scheme whose membership consists of employees of students' unions and related bodies throughout the country. Benefits in respect of service up to 30 September 2003 are accrued on a "final salary" basis, with benefits in respect of service from 1 October 2003 accruing on a Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) basis. With effect from 30 September 2011 the scheme closed to future accrual.
The most recent Valuation of the Scheme was carried out as at 30 June 2022 and showed that the market value of the Scheme's assets was £106m with these assets representing 44% of the value of benefits that had accrued to members after allowing for expected future increases in earnings. The deficit on an ongoing funding basis amounted to £133.6m which reported a decrease to the previous 2019 valuation deficit of £140.9m.
The assumptions which have the most significant effect upon the results of the valuation are those relating to the rate of return on investments and the rates of increase in salaries and pensions.
The 2022 valuation extended the scheme’s recovery plan until May 2037, and recommended a monthly contribution requirement by each Participating Employer. This was expressed in monetary terms intended to clear the ongoing funding deficit over a period of 15 years and increased by 5% in October 2023 and at least 5% each year thereafter. These contributions also include an allowance for cost of the ongoing administrative and operational expenses of running the Scheme. These rates will be formally reviewed following completion of the next valuation due with an effective date of 30 June 2025. Surpluses or deficits which arise at future valuations will also impact on the Students’ Union’s future contribution commitment. In addition to the above contributions, the Students’ Union also pays its share of the scheme’s levy to the Pension Protection Fund.
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USWSU NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JULY 2025
In summary, employer contributions will increase by 5% each year until the end of the deficit recovery period, which is now expected to be in May 2037. However, contributions due from October 2026 onwards will be· reviewed following the next actuarial valuation.
In addition to the above contributions, the Union also pays its share of the scheme's levy and associated expenses to the Pension Protection Fund.
The total contributions paid into the scheme by the Union in respect of eligible employees for the year ended 31 July 2025 amounted to £238,947 which are all deficit contributions (2023: £209,796). At the year-end a liability was recognised for the present value of the contributions payable of £2,422,090 (2023 - £2,584,737).
The Union also participates in the National Union of Students Pension Scheme, a defined contribution scheme. During the year ended 31 July 2025 the Union contributed a total of £6,175 into the scheme (2024: £7,837). At the year-end there were outstanding contributions of £Nil (2024: £5,132).
22. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
During the year, salaries totaling £0 (2024: £13,065) were paid to close family members of key management personnel.
There were also travel expenses of £0 (2024: £127) reimbursed in the year to two members of key management personnel.
There were no other related party transactions to disclose other than set out elsewhere in the accounts, including in note 11 and note 12 (2024: none).
Page 23
This Document has been Signed with a secure electronic signature via E-Sign.
Envelope Details
| Title | USWSU_Accounts_Final_010426.pdf |
|---|---|
| Author | S M Executive Services Limited (sam@smlimited.uk) |
| Envelope Created on | Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:52:21 |
| Envelope ID | 653280c5-115b-46ec-887a-9f402f988277 |
Document Details
| Title | USWSU_Accounts_Final_010426.pdf |
|---|---|
| Digital Fingerprint | 2fa382fb-515c-45b6-8a31-1be4cb5ee2bc |
Document Signers Scan/Click the QR Code to view signature information
| Name | Emilie Tapping |
|---|---|
| emilietapping@gmail.com | |
| Status | SIGNEDat Wed, 01 Apr 2026 20:43:11 BST(+0100) |
| Signature Fingerprint | c02f0096-5a34-43ec-95f9-6486421f59a8 |
| Name | Steve Harper |
|---|---|
| SHarper@haysmac.com | |
| Status | SIGNEDat Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:44:40 BST(+0100) |
| Signature Fingerprint | 6d287bf5-4385-4b5c-aa42-80ca99e3cef3 |
Document History
| Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:44:40 | Steve HarperSigned the Document (IP: 31.119.3.9) |
|---|---|
| Wed, 01 Apr 2026 20:43:12 | Emilie TappingSigned the Document (IP: 148.252.144.223) |