Queen's Speech - Charities
The Queen's Speech set out plans to modernises the law governing the voluntary sector, with a new definition of charitable work.
Government Response: Home Office
David Blunkett, home secretary, said: "I believe that a diverse and vibrant charitable sector is essential for the health of our democracy. The Charities Bill would address modern needs through an up-to-date legal framework. This is part of the government's agenda for civil renewal."
Stakeholder Response: Charity Commission
Geraldine Peacock, chairwoman of the Charity Commission, said: "We strongly welcome the fact that this new legislation has been included in the Queen's Speech. Whatever the debates, everyone involved has agreed that the important thing is to ensure a new Charities Bill is passed. This is excellent news for the sector and all those who have worked so tirelessly to bring it about. We look forward to working with the sector and governmentto support its passage through parliament and develop the Commission's key responsibilities to enable an accountable, effective and modern charitable sector."
Stakeholder Response: Charities Aid Foundation
Simon Hebditch, CAF executive director for external affairs, said: "CAF is glad that the government has committed itself to modernising charity law in the next session of parliament. It is high time that many activities should be recognised as charitable - the promotion of human rights being a prime example.
"We also believe that it is necessary for all charities to be able to demonstrate that what they do is for the public benefit. Giving will only increase in this country if the general public feels confident that funds are being used well and that charities are having a real impact in their communities.
"The government is expecting charities themselves to create a robust self-regulation system for dealing with complaints about some fundraising techniques and methods so that it doesn't have to impose new rules itself. CAF applauds that approach and is currently chairing a group drawing up proposals to establish new complaints machinery for donors."
Stakeholder Response: Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Chas Roy-Chowdhury, ACCA head of taxation, said: "We are glad that the government has found room in a busy session to update the charities legislation. But we are concerned that they should not use this opportunity to reduce the tax breaks to existing good causes which have a charitable status - hence effectively finding another way to raise taxes. The government must ensure that it retains the current favourable tax concessions that charities are entitled to, such as income tax concessions and zero-rate VAT."
Stakeholder Response: Federation of Small Businesses
John Walker, FSB national policy chairman, said: "Charity shops can be aggressive commercial institutions trading in similar products to small businesses, yet they continue to be exempt from paying business rates. The Charities Bill must address this unfair competition to ensure that
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