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2024-12-31-accounts

50:50

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Charity number 1195583

1

CONTENTS

Page
Report of the Trustees 3 – 7
Statement of financial activities 8
Balance sheet 9
Notes to the financial statements 10 – 14
Independent examiner’s report
 15

2

50:50 Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024

The trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the charity’s constitution, and 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).

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS

Charity registration number: 1195583 Principal address: 8 Bark Place, London, W2 4AR CEO: Lyanne Nicholl

Bankers: CAF Bank Limited, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The Charity is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) governed by its constitution dated 20 August 2021. The charity was registered with the Charity Commission on 20 August 2021.

The Charity is governed by the Board of trustees. The Board meets quarterly (and more often if required) and decides on the strategic direction the charity should take, the performance targets that should be set and examines the recent activities and performance of the charity. The day to day operations of the charity are delegated to the CEO.

Recruitment & appointment of trustees

Trustees are recruited in conjunction with ongoing needs and skills analysis to provide balanced and informed governance for the Charity. No less than three persons may be elected. The first three trustees were appointed for variable terms of two to four years. Further appointments are agreed by the trustees for a fixed term of three years after which trustees may be re-elected.

Risk management

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. The trustees meet regularly and assess any risks to the Charity. A Risk Register has been developed, the content of which is informed by consultation with the CEO, staff and the Board. The Risk Register is monitored by the Board on a regular basis.

3

50:50 Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024

Trustees

The trustees who served during the year and to the date of this report were:

Bushra Ahmed Susan Bright - Chair Elizabeth Erickson (appointed 20 August 2024) Caroline Pridgeon Atonte Rodwell (appointed 20 August 2024) Fiona Russell (appointed 20 August 2024) Frances Scott Julia Smith (appointed 20 August 2024) Brian Spurling Carol Ann Whitehead Gillian Whitty-Collins (appointed 20 August 2024) Emily Wilson-Smith (appointed 20 August 2024)

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The objects of 50:50 as set out in its constitution are:

The advancement of equality and diversity, in particular between women and men and to eliminate gender discrimination for the public benefit including (without limitation) by

  1. Raising awareness of all aspects of discrimination within in the UK democratic representation system at local, regional and national levels;

  2. Raising awareness of all aspects of discrimination in society by publications, lectures, use of the media, public advocacy and other means of communication;

  3. Providing or facilitating the provision of assistance to individuals or organisations including (without limitation) through training, advice or guidance to enable greater participation by women (those selfidentifying as women) in the UK legislature and representative democratic process.

Public benefit

The trustees have complied with the duty in section 4 of the 2011 Charities Act to have due regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission, including public benefit guidance. The trustees have referred to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities.

The Charity furthers its charitable purposes for the public benefit by raising awareness of discrimination within the UK democratic representation system and in society through the use of media and speaking engagements, as well as encouraging and supporting women to progress in politics at local, regional and national levels through its #AskHerToStand and #SignUpToStand programmes and by holding events.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

This year was the first full year for 50:50 with a salaried Chief Executive running the organisation. 50:50’s Founder, Frances Scott, stepped down as Director and joined the Board of trustees. Six new trustees were also appointed, bringing a range of skills and experience to the Board.

4

50:50 Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024

The 50:50 community

During 2024 the charity’s community grew to 9,051 including 250 women who ‘signed up to stand’. These women span all political parties and none – all receive a warm welcome, with those who register interest in standing for elected office also receiving bespoke communications and support from our Campaign Manager.

101 women from the 50:50 community stood in the 2024 General Election, with 25 winning their seats. Approximately 200 women from the 50:50 community stood in the local elections. Alongside the BiteSize online support sessions and live networking events, 50:50 was able to offer bespoke mentoring and coaching sessions to women looking to stand in 2024.

Events

50:50 inspired and supported women to stand for elected office through a range of live and online events. These included:

All of the above events inspired women to stand for elected office and also enabled them to build their networks.

Support also came in the form of our ‘Party Handbooks’ created in partnership with Elect Her to help demystify politics.

5

50:50

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2024

Raising Awareness

The charity raised awareness of the gender imbalance, and why it is a problem, in a variety of ways, including through extensive national press coverage (Grazia, The Independent, Huff Post, The Big Issue, The Metro, City AM), as well as feature interviews on the Wempower podcast and the Mummafesto podcast. Our CEO spoke at the Diversity Night and the Women’s Rally at the Labour Party conference and Diversity Bingo at the Welsh Labour Party Conference. The charity also had representatives at all major Party conferences. Our CEO spoke on various other panels, including ‘Women Leaders in Male Dominated Industries’ at the Bayer Business School, ‘40% Now What?’ by the Young Fabians; ‘How to Reduce the Threats of Violence Toward Women Politicians’ in partnership with the Blavatnik School of Government; and ‘Financial Barriers’ roundtable with Bath University and Elect Her at Portcullis House.

50:50 partnered with Centenary Action and Chamber UK to undertake live monitoring of the gender split for General Election candidates, with a ‘women counter’ on our homepage. At final tally, the overall number of women candidates fell to 30%.

Social media is an important tool for spreading awareness and 50:50 recruited Ambassadors to help amplify our messages. These included Sharon Gaffka, Anna Whitehouse (MotherPukka) and Cherry Healy. Our social media following grew by over 3200. 50:50 now has aggregate over 30,000 followers across social media. Ask Her To Stand Day generated a lot of traction on social media, with an official video clip from the Conservative Party and individual clips from people such as Wendy Chamberlain MP, Sonia Kumar MP, Cherry Healy and Sophie Walker.

Changing culture

50:50 is keen that the environment in which we encourage women to stand is one where they can thrive. We therefore partnered with Compassion in Politics and The Apolitical Foundation, with support from Hogan Lovells, to survey MPs standing down in the 2024 election, asking them to share their experiences, and to make suggestions for progressive reforms. This formed our joint Reset Report which was published in November 2024 and also submitted to the Modernisation Committee.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The income of the Charity amounted to £104,289 with net expenditure of £3,548 (2023: income of £73,746 with net income of £2,136).

Reserves policy

The policy of the Charity as at 31 December 2024 was to have free reserves of six months’ minimum operating costs to fund its work (currently budgeted at £26,532). Unrestricted reserves at 31 December 2024 were £29,662 (2023: £34,622). As at 31 December 2024 the assets of the Charity are considered adequate to fulfil its obligations and the trustees consider the state of our financial affairs to be satisfactory.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

50:50 is enacting a ‘flood and fix’ strategy over the next election cycle. Flood the system with diverse, talented women and, with partners, fix the parts of the system holding women back. Our three areas of focus for the coming period: continuing to raise awareness of the gender imbalance in Parliament and elected bodies throughout the UK (and the concerning downward trend in women candidates) and why this is a problem; inspiring, recruiting and supporting women to stand for elected office; and reviewing and enacting ways to break down the barriers to elected office for women.

6

50.50 Report of the Trust••• for tho year •nd•d 31 D•cemhr 2024 that our llcrf)d and flx. strategy is Lvibcal to yeventirKJ a ryession in women's repr8sentslion at tt next general eledon- and at local level. We w￿1 ccM)linue to raise awareness of the Issues around gender imbalance on our elected bL>Jie8 and we wll also continue to vrt)rk wrlh partner8 to address the myriad of barr18rs (Induding financaal LY)nstraints. ccA)fideK8, threats of abuse aTh1 vi018rte) that st8TrJ in the way of equal reWe￿tat￿l wlth a part¥￿lar the carnlidate selectlon processe8. As well as lurther exlendirvj c￿[ nelYxk with Patrons this year, we very Ive to be able to expand the team so ttwi ￿ can exleTrJ Ihe re• of (yjr to insplre arKI suprM)rt womon. from all backgrounds. to 8tsnd for electi￿ aThJ tt￿u9h￿ interrogate candidate seleckn wocesses, wrfh a view to creating positive chaw8. TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBIUTIES IN RELATION TO THE FINANCIAL 8TATEMENT8 The charlty tnMt888 arn re8porr8ible for fry)oring a tNstees' annual report and finoncl81 $tstements in accordancè vAth applvble law •rKI Unhod Iungdun Acyounllry Sl8ndari16 {Uniled Klngdorn Generalty A￿epted kn>xrfing Pr&•). Tha law applicabl6 k> (arbties in Ernd and Walos requYe8 tha clwnty tNstees to prepare finanual statements for each year whkh gfv8 a tru8 and falr of the 8tate of affalrs ol the Charity and of Ihg Incoming reswrce8 8nd applicallon of re8ourco8, of Ihe tharity for that perfod. In proparlng tho finan¢i•l stalemonts, tho tru$to0$ ar8 r￿ulTed to: select sultabl8 ar£(￿nting Km￿1¢168 and then ar￿ty thèm CA￿$1$16n￿. obsérve the mellKJs and prindple8 In the appl*abb8 Charltles SORP: makg judgem8nls and estsmales that are reascThbl6 and pnMl8nt: state whether applicable accounllng Star￿ havo foll(Mtd. subjoct to any maten81 departures Ihot must b• disdo8ed 8nd explained In the fin8ncial statements,. preparo tho financial statements on the wrvJ concom basls unths it18 Inapproprtalè to presumè that the charlty wlll contlnue In busine￿. The trustè&s ar6 r¢wsible for keesxng proper a(£ountiry rec4xd6 that dlsck)se wllh roasonablo 8c¢urocy at any lime Ihe financial of the ch81ity arml io 8n8bbe them to 8nsure that tt rinancial stalements comply wilh the Charlll88 Act 2011, tho appkable ChaTitfi88 (AC(Y￿nts and Repcrfts) Regulatlons. and Ihe pyovlsiws of Ihe c￿$11ttrtth. They affj also responsible for 8afeguafding the a$$0ts of tho charity and taking rnasonable Steps for the tKevention ond dotection of fraud 8nd other irregularities. The Irustéés aro responsible th8 m8intenan(% and integrity ofth8 Charty and flnancial informal included OD the Chanty's websrte fft acrxthrto wth leg￿lati(￿ In the United ￿'n￿10M 9oveming the prep8r8tion and dl8semlnalion of flnarthl 8taloménts. Ltsan Bright Chalr 22 July 2025

50:50

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024

Note
INCOME:
Grants and donations
2
Gift Aid
Events
Bank interest
TOTAL INCOME
EXPENDITURE:
CEO & campaign co-ordinators
Provision of advice & support
Events
Communications, social media & IT
Data project work
Campaign materials
Printing, postage & stationery
Travel
Insurance
Legal & professional
Fundraising costs
Accountancy
Independent examination fee
Bank charges
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
2
Transfers between funds
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS AT 1 JANUARY 2024
TOTAL FUNDS AT 31 DECEMBER
2024		 Unrestricted
funds
2024
£

89,568
1,471
80
479		 Restricted
funds
2024
£


12,691

-

-

-

12,691		 Total
funds
2024
£


102,259

1,471

80

479



104,289
 Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
60,209
1,134
2,843
215
 Restricted
funds
2023
£

9,345

-

-

-		 Total
funds
2023
£

69,554

1,134

2,843

215

73,746
91,598
64,401
9,345
58,492
2,419
7,349
13,356
5,000
1,972
101
1,770
543
538
918
3,920
720
60
8,384

-

501

1,037

-

-

-

757

-

-

-

-

-

-

66,876

2,419

7,850

14,393

5,000

1,972

101

2,527

543

538

918

3,920

720

60


107,837

(3,548)


-



(3,548)



34,622

31,074		 23,732
4,199
5,096
13,454
-
2,139
176
342
495
-
279
3,360
720
163
8,754

3,621

119

3,149

-

212

-

-

-

-

720

880

-

-
32,486

7,820

5,215

16,603

-

2,351

176

342

495

-

999

4,240

720

163

71,610

2,136

-

2,316

32,486
34,622
97,158
10,679		 54,155
17,455
(5,560)
600
2,012

(600)		 10,246
(2,033)
(8,110)

2,033
(4,960) 1,412
8,213
(6,077)
34,622
29,662
-

1,412		 26,409
34,622

6,077

-

The notes on pages 10 to 14 form part of these financial statements.

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the period. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

8

50.50 Balanc¢ Sheat at 31 Decomber 2024 2024 2023 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash at bank in hand 1.498 33.249 34.747 2,761 36,634 39.395 LIABILMES CREDrroRS: amounts faming due within one year NET CURRENT ASSETS NET ASSETS 10 FUND8 OF THE CHARrrY Restrkted fund$ 1,412 Unr881rlcted funds TOTAL FUNDS Sign8d on behaw ofthè trustees usan Bright Chalr 22 July 2025

50:50 Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

a) Accounting Basis

i) Basis of preparation

The accounts 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) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. 50:50 meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

ii) Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

It is the trustees’ view that there are no material uncertainties regarding 50:50’s ability to continue in operation for the foreseeable future taking into account all available information, and have neither the intention nor the need to liquidate or curtail materially the scale of its operations, and have prepared the accounts on that assumption. The trustees have reviewed the charity’s financial position for the coming year and are satisfied that the charity will have sufficient funds, largely owing to the continued support from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) from whom grant funding was awarded in March 2023 for the following three years and through the financial support of “Friends of 50:50”. As at 30 June 2025, 50:50 met its reserves policy. Further grant funding will be sought during the coming year and will be critical for 50:50 to continue its work over the longer term.

b) Fund Accounting

c) Income

All income is included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

Donated services are included at the value of the gift to the charity based on open market value.

d) Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. It is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.

e) Debtors

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

10

50:50 Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

f) Cash At Bank And In Hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

g) Creditors

Creditors 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 are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

h) Contributions to pension funds

The charity makes available to all employees a defined contribution pension scheme operated by NEST. The pension costs charged to the Statement of Financial Activities represent the amount of the contributions payable to the scheme in respect of the accounting period.

i) Cash Flow Statement

The charity has taken advantage of the exemption from preparing a cash flow statement in accordance with FRS 102 on the basis that it qualifies as a small entity.

j) Corporation tax

50:50 is a registered charity and as such its income and gains falling within Sections 471 to 489 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 are exempt from corporation tax to the extent that they are applied to its charitable objectives.

2. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging:

Independent Examiner’s fee Year ended
31 December
2024
Year ended
31 December
2023
£
£
720
720

11

50:50 Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

3. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs		 Year ended
31 December
2024
Year ended
31 December
2023
£
£
50,014
5,192
-
-
1,500
156
51,514
5,348

The total remuneration of the key management personnel was £31,120 (2023: £5,348).

The average number of staff employed during the year was 2 (2023: 0.17). There were no employees with emoluments exceeding £60,000 per annum during the year (2023: none).

4. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES

During the year a total of £308 was paid to 2 trustees for reimbursement of costs paid on the charity’s behalf and travel expenses (2023: £213). No trustee received remuneration in either period.

5. DEBTORS

Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 Year ended
31 December
2024
Year ended
31 December
2023
£
£
1,200
-
298
2,761
1,498
2,761

6. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Trade creditors
Other taxes and social security
Accruals and deferred income		 Year ended
31 December
2024
Year ended
31 December
2023
£
£
1,540
-
-
674
2,133
4,099
3,673
4,773

12

50:50 Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

7. FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS

The charity has no future minimum rentals payable under non-cancellable operating leases.

8. UNRESTRICTED FUNDS

General funds
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
General funds
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust		 At 1
January
2024
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
At 31
December
2024
£
£
£
£
39,048
26,069
(18,089)
(6,481)
40,547
(4,426)
65,529
(79,069)
7,081
(10,885)
34,622
91,598
(97,158)
600
29,662
At 1
January
2023
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
At 31
December
2023
£
£
£
£
26,409
14,411
261
(2,033)
39,048
-
49,990
(54,416)
-
(4,426)
26,409
64,401
(54,155)
(2,033)
34,622

Transfers between funds represent the transfer from unrestricted funds to cover final deficits at project completion (see note 9 below).

9. RESTRICTED FUNDS

Local Government Association
Amplifying Muted Voices (funded
by Rosa & Male Allies UK)		 At 1
January
2024
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
At 31
December
2024
£
£
£
£
-
4,491
(3,891)
(600)
-
-
8,200
(6,788)
-
1,412
-
12,691
(10,679)
(600)
1,412
Comic Relief – Equal Power
Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
Local Government Association		 At 1
January
2023
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
At 31
December
2023
£
£
£
£
2,167
-
(3,688)
1,521
-
3,910
6,836
(11,258)
512
-
-
2,509
(2,509)
-
-
6,077
9,345
(17,455)
2,033
-

Restricted funds consist of funds given by a donor to be spent on specific projects or categories of expenditure.

13

50:50 Notes to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024

10. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 Net current
assets
31 December
2024
£
£
29,662
29,662
1,412
1,412
31,074
31,074
Net current
assets
31 December
2023
£
£
34,622
34,622
-
-
34,622
34,622

11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the year, the charity received donations given without conditions from related parties totalling £2,357 (2023: £2,055). During the year £4,968 (2023: £100) was paid to The Zebra Partnership Limited of which Carol Ann Whitehead is Managing Director for project management of the Amplifying Muted Voices campaign and reimbursement of travel expenses. One trustee provided IT support in kind with a value of £10,000 during the year.

14

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of 50.50 for the year ended 31 December 2024 I reporttothe trustees on my examination of the o¢eounts fortheyear ended 31 December 2024. which are set out on pages 810 14. Responslblllties and basls of report As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsbi leforthe preparation of the accounts inaccordance with the requirements of the Chaiitie$ Act 2011llhe A¢t'). I report in respectof my examinali¢)n of Ihe tntstee's accounts carried out under section 145 ofthe 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions gNen by the Charity C¢)mmission under section 14515)Ib) of the 2011 AI Independent examlnevs $tstement I have completed my eXamina￿n. I confimi that no material matters have ccrfne to my attention in conneclion with the examination giwng me cause to believe that in any material resP￿t accounting records were r￿t kept in ￿SPeCt of tre Trust as required by section 130 of the Act: {1) pi the aecounts do not ac¢Lvd with those records.. or {3) the account$ do not cc¥nply with the applic£ble Tequwnents eoneeming the fo￿ and eonlent of ac¢ounts set out in the Charittes (Accounts and Rep￿$) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a and fair whith 15 not a matter considered as part of an independenl examinatin. I have no concems and have come across no othermatters in COnn￿li0n wrth the examination to which attention should be drawn in this reFort in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be ached. Paul Baker FAIA Applied Accountancy Limited 50a Clrfford Way Maidstone Kent ME16 8GO Dated.12od 2025