Forum Brief: Queen's Speech - Draft Charities Bill

The UK's charity sector is facing an overhaul under draft legislation to be set out during this session.

The regulation of charity fundraising will also be overhauled, with a new crackdown on street collections.

Forum Response: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Matt Grainger of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association told ePolitix.com: "We are very pleased that the Queen's Speech today flagged up the introduction of both a Charities Bill and a Disability Bill.

"A Charities Bill which increases openness and accountability, particularly in the area of fundraising, can, by increasing donors' confidence, only benefit individual charities and the voluntary sector as a whole."

Forum Response: The Disabilities Trust

Matt Townsend, spokesman for the Disabilities Trust, told ePolitix.com: "The Charities Bill is also to be welcomed if it clarifies issues surrounding fundraising and gives the public more confidence in the voluntary sector.

"However, it is disappointing that both Bill's remain only in draft form as this could mean that because of time pressures, neither gets a parliamentary slot this year."

Forum Response: Royal British Legion

A spokesman for the RBL told ePolitix.com: "We are delighted that the Charities Bill was included in the Queen's Speech.

"Both the voluntary sector and the Home Office have worked very hard to get this far and inclusion of the Bill will ensure that the principle of public benefit is enshrined in legislation, further enhancing public trust and confidence within the sector.

"The next challenge will be to make certain that the draft bill, due to be published next year, meets the sector's expectations and proceeds intact to Parliament in plenty of time before the next general election.

"We looks forward to a new Charities Act by 2005 that will clarify what it means to be a charitable organisation and will clearly define the role of the sector's regulator.

"The Royal British Legion will be studying the draft carefully and will comment in more detail in due course, if necessary."

Forum Response: Federation of Small Businesses

John Walker, policy chairman, said: "The FSB will be paying close attention to a draft Charities Bill and is concerned that charities will be given greater trading powers whilst retaining the advantage that they enjoy over small firms on business rates."

Forum Response: Depression Alliance

Jim Thomson, chief executive of the Depression Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "Depression Alliance welcomes reforms to charity law.

"They should breathe new life into the Charity Commission and clarify the role of charitable organisations in the public eye. We particularly welcome the self-regulation aspects as they will enable us to promote better practice in fundraising.

"If the government delivers on these plans then they will have succeeded in reforming a 400 year sector at a stroke."

Forum Response: Charity Commission

John Stoker, chief charity commissioner, said: "The announcement is excellent news for the sector, the public and the Charity Commission.

"The charity sector has engaged enthusiastically in the review of charities and the wider not-for-profit sector and I'm delighted that the government has responded by taking forward the proposals in the review.

"These legislative proposals will not change the job the Commission is here to do - to regulate supportively in the public interest - but would give us new tools for the task.

"Key among these are a new legal definition of charity, legal powers to help charities adapt to changing circumstances and a larger board for the Commission which would allow us to draw on a wide range of skills and experience for our work.

"I warmly welcome this announcement."

Forum Response: Shelter

A spokesman for Shelter told ePolitix.com: "We welcome the bill. All voluntary organisations should be open and transparent.

"Regarding the streetside fundraisers, we recognise that it is important for them to be regulated but, like a lot of other charities, they do provide an important revenue stream, so any reforms should bear this in mind."

Forum Response: The Woodland Trust

Dr James Cooper, public affairs manager told ePolitix.com: "We welcome the proposals which should help to ensure that the principle of public benefit is central to charitable status.

"Charities have a vital role to play in society and the measures set out in the draft Bill should help to enhance public confidence in the work of the sector.

"It is a pity though that the Bill has only draft status. The welcome safeguards set out in the draft Bill should also be accompanied by government action on charities taxation to improve the financial stability of the sector if it is to flourish.

!We also wish to see the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill which is carried over from the last session, help to deliver truly sustainable development that protects and enhances the environment and our quality of life. Parts of the Bill will need to be closely scrutinised and amended if this is to be achieved."

Forum Response: Association for Charities

A spokeswoman for the AfC told ePolitix.com: "We had feared the draft Charities Bill might turn out to be the Cinderella of the forthcoming legislative programme and not even get a mention so we're delighted it's received a proper invitation to the ball.

"The interests of the millions of trustees, volunteers, donors and never forgetting the all-important beneficiaries of charities will at last be properly represented in a modern legislative framework.

"The key element from our perspective will be the provision of an independent tribunal to enable appeals, at no cost to charity work or to personal funds, against the decisions of the regulator.

"This will go a long way to redressing the present conspicuous imbalance of power between the Charity Commission and its 'customers' and make for a fairer and more decent system of regulation."

Forum Response: Counsel and Care

Martin Green, chief executive of Counsel and Care, told ePolitix.com: "I broadly welcome the proposals to introduce new charity law that should help to cut out abuses in the sector.

"I hope the new proposals will also look at the whole range of charity laws and regulation with the aim of improving protection and reducing bureaucracy."

Forum Response: The Stroke Association

Margaret Goose, chief executive of The Stroke Association, told ePolitix.com: "The Stroke Association's priority is supporting the many people in England and Wales affected by stroke.

"The prospect of legislation which enables charities to become more effective in their work is therefore very welcome."