GeneWatch UK |
Registered number: |
03556885 |
Directors' Report |
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The directors present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 May 2024. |
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Principal activities |
The principal activity of the company is to preserve and protect the social, environmental, human rights, animal and human health and welfare of the inhabitants of the world through the promotion of ethical, social, human health, environmental, human rights and animal welfare considerations in decision making about genetic engineering and other genetic technologies. |
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Directors |
The following persons served as directors during the year: |
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Elonnai Hickock (Chair) |
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Stuart Hogarth (Treasurer) |
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Erik Millstone |
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Sarah North |
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Carole McCartney (appointed 09/05/2024) |
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Main activities |
During 2023/24 GeneWatch UK employed a part-time Director and two part-time staff. |
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During 2023/24, GeneWatch UK has continued to undertake research and analysis and produce information materials about the use of genetic modification in food and agriculture. We continued to expand our database of scientific journal papers on GM crops and foods, GM animals and GM micro-organisms. We provided information to journalists, NGOs, parliamentarians, governments and the general public in relation to the import and cultivation of GM crops in the UK, new genetic engineering technologies, and GM trees, insects and fish. We responded to consultations on proposals for the deregulation of gene edited organisms in the UK, and proposals to release GM micro-organisms in the EU. We continued to undertake and publish research relating to GM crops, GM trees and new genetic engineering techniques. |
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GeneWatch UK’s work on human genetics continued to focus on the regulation of genetic testing and DNA databases. We published a report on polygenic risk scores and briefings on the implications of the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill for people’s genetic privacy. We continued to monitor developments, update the website of the Forensic Genetics Policy Initiative, disseminate guidelines on best practice for police DNA databases, and respond to information requests, worldwide. We continued to update our website My DNA, My Family, My Rights, to provide information to the general public and to conduct research on health and research uses of genetic databases. |
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During 2024/25, GeneWatch will continue to develop its web-based resource and publish briefings and reports to provide up-to-date public information about the state of development of GM crops, trees, insects, fish and micro-organisms, including evidence about their impacts on farming, health, animal welfare and the environment. |
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In the field of human genetics, GeneWatch will continue to provide public information on the limitations of genetic tests for common diseases, the implications of proposals to screen babies’ genomes at birth, and the privacy implications of genetic databases. GeneWatch will also continue to brief politicians and the public on the human rights and privacy implications of forensic DNA databases worldwide, and seek to implement safeguards for human rights. |
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In addition, we will continue to highlight conflicts-of-interest in science and the need for greater public involvement in research investment decisions. |
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Financial situation |
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In 2023/24 GeneWatch UK’s main source of income has been grants for research and information provision from trusts. |
Expenditure has been largely on staff costs, and income and expenditure were as expected in the budget. |
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Directors' responsibilities |
The directors are responsible for preparing the report and accounts in accordance with applicable law and regulations. |
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Company law requires the directors to prepare accounts for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the accounts in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these accounts, the directors are required to: |
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; |
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; |
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prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business. |
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The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. |
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Small company provisions |
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. |
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This report was approved by the board on 18 October 2024 and signed by its order. |
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Helen Wallace |
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GeneWatch UK |
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Report to the directors on the preparation of the unaudited statutory accounts of GeneWatch UK for the year ended 31 May 2024 |
In order to assist you to fulfil your duties under the Companies Act 2006, we have prepared for your approval the accounts of GeneWatch UK for the year ended 31 May 2024 which comprise of the Profit and Loss Account, the Balance Sheet and the related notes from the company’s accounting records and from information and explanations you have given us. |
As a practising member firm of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, we are subject to its ethical and other professional requirements which are detailed at http://rulebook.accaglobal.com/ |
This report is made solely to the Board of Directors of GeneWatch UK, as a body, in accordance with the terms of our engagement letter dated 1 July 2014. Our work has been undertaken solely to prepare for your approval the accounts of GeneWatch UK and state those matters that we have agreed to state to the Board of Directors of GeneWatch UK, as a body, in this report in accordance with the requirements of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants as detailed at http://www.accaglobal.com/factsheet163. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than GeneWatch UK and its Board of Directors as a body for our work or for this report. |
It is your duty to ensure that GeneWatch UK has kept adequate accounting records and to prepare statutory accounts that give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of GeneWatch UK. You consider that GeneWatch UK is exempt from the statutory audit requirement for the year. |
We have not been instructed to carry out an audit or a review of the accounts of GeneWatch UK. For this reason, we have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the statutory accounts. |
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Slade and Cooper Limited |
Chartered Certified Accountants |
Beehive Mill |
Jersey Street |
Manchester |
M4 6JG |
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4 December 2024 |
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GeneWatch UK |
Notes to the Accounts |
for the year ended 31 May 2024 |
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1 |
Accounting policies |
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Basis of preparation |
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The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with FRS 102, The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (as applied to small entities by section 1A of the standard). |
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Turnover |
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Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of discounts and value added taxes. Turnover includes revenue earned from the sale of goods and from the rendering of services. Turnover from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have transferred to the buyer. Turnover from the rendering of services is recognised by reference to the stage of completion of the contract. The stage of completion of a contract is measured by comparing the costs incurred for work performed to date to the total estimated contract costs. |
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Tangible fixed assets |
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Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulative depreciation and any accumulative impairment losses. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, other than freehold land, at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset evenly over its expected useful life, as follows: |
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Office equipment |
over 3 years |
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Debtors |
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Short term debtors are measured at transaction price (which is usually the invoice price), less any impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts. Loans and other financial assets are initially recognised at transaction price including any transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost determined using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts. |
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Creditors |
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Short term creditors are measured at transaction price (which is usually the invoice price). Loans and other financial liabilities are initially recognised at transaction price net of any transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost determined using the effective interest method. |
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Taxation |
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A current tax liability is recognised for the tax payable on the taxable profit of the current and past periods. A current tax asset is recognised in respect of a tax loss that can be carried back to recover tax paid in a previous period. Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences between the recognition of income and expenses in the financial statements and their inclusion in tax assessments. Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Deferred tax is measured using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date and that are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference, except for revalued land and investment property where the tax rate that applies to the sale of the asset is used. Current and deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted. |
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Provisions |
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Provisions (ie liabilities of uncertain timing or amount) are recognised when there is an obligation at the reporting date as a result of a past event, it is probable that economic benefit will be transferred to settle the obligation and the amount of the obligation can be estimated reliably. |
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Pensions |
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Contributions to defined contribution plans are expensed in the period to which they relate. |
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2 |
Other operating income |
2024 |
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2023 |
£ |
£ |
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Grants received in the year |
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Greenpeace Environmental Trust |
48,543 |
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46,266 |
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Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust |
10,000 |
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- |
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58,543 |
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46,266 |
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Add deferred grants brought forward |
155,535 |
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216,191 |
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Less deferred grants carried forward |
(102,248) |
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(155,535) |
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111,830 |
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106,922 |
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3 |
Employees |
2024 |
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2023 |
Number |
Number |
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Average number of persons employed by the company |
3 |
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3 |
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4 |
Debtors |
2024 |
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2023 |
£ |
£ |
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Prepayments |
1,819 |
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457 |
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5 |
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year |
2024 |
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2023 |
£ |
£ |
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Deferred income |
101,752 |
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155,534 |
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Trade creditors |
1 |
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1 |
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Other creditors |
5,274 |
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1,314 |
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107,027 |
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156,849 |
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6 |
Other information |
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GeneWatch UK is a private company limited by guarantee and incorporated in England. Its registered office is: |
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c/o Slade and Cooper Limited |
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Beehive Mill |
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Jersey Street |
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Manchester |
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M4 6JG |
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