Parliamentary Committee returns verdict on Draft Protection of Charities Bill

The Joint Committee on the Draft Protection of Charities Bill has given approval to extending the powers of the Charity Commission. After hearing evidence from a number of bodies, including the Charity Law Association Working Party (chaired by Jo Coleman), the Joint Committee reached the unanimous view that many of the proposals in the draft Bill deserved its support.

Lord Hope of Craighead, who chaired the Joint Committee, stated “We’re not giving a clean bill of health in every respect to the bill; there are areas where I hope we have been constructively critical”. Most notably, the Joint Committee outlined the need for there to be a number of safeguards on the scope and use of the powers “on the face of the bill”. The Joint Committee also highlighted the need to make Charity Commission guidance easier to access online and asked the Government to look again at the chilling effect of the terrorism legislation on the activities of NGOs working in difficult territories.

For more information or to discuss your requirements contact one of our charity law solicitors today on 01895 207809 or email charities@ibblaw.co.uk.