Angharad Thomas

Head of Media Relations

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CHARITY COMMISSION SHOULD LOOK AT ALL OPTIONS FOR FUNDING - CAF REPORT

17 January 2018

The charities regulator could raise income from fining charities which file their accounts late, rather than charging a registration fee, under proposals published by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).

It is one of four counter-proposals being put forward by CAF as an alternative to the Charity Commission’s plans to introduce a levy for all registered charities.

The Commission is expected to launch a consultation on introducing a mandatory charge, with the Commission’s Chief Executive seeking to raise £7 million per year from charities.

CAF – one of the UK’s largest charities – is warning however that forcing charities to divert some of their donations to fund the regulator may damage public trust, compromise the Commission’s independence, and deter some people from donating because they do not want to see their money used to pay for additional overheads. It fears that even the introduction of a nominal charge now would set a dangerous precedent, with costs for charities likely to increase over time.

The regulation of charities in the UK has traditionally been funded by government; however HM Treasury funding for the Charity Commission has halved since 2008. The Commission has argued that charges would allow it to carry out more “advice and enabling work”. In a response to the Lords Select Committee on Charities the Commission last week its said it “believes it is fair that the charities make a modest contribution to a system that benefits them.”

In a paper published today, CAF argues that there is a clear need for the Commission to be better funded if it is to adequately carry out its regulatory responsibilities. But it reasons that donations made to support important causes should not be used to pay for the work of a statutory regulator. Instead, CAF has set out alternative proposals which it claims would help the Commission stem its funding shortfall while improving regulation.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

One option is to introduce a charge for charities which miss deadlines for filing their accounts, similar to fees charged to businesses which are late filing accounts. CAF argues that this would encourage better governance and reduce costs for the Commission if it encouraged more charities to file accounts on time. An average fine of £250 for the 10,000 charities which missed deadlines for filing accounts or annual returns with the Commission this year would generate £5 million.

Other alternatives that CAF is encouraging the Commission and Government to consider include charging for specific advice or additional services for charities which request them, funding charity regulation through Libor fines or providing additional Treasury funding, as part of a new settlement aimed to bringing communities together.

CAF is one of the UK’s largest charities. It helps more than 250,000 people and 3,000 businesses give to good causes, while providing financial services to support charities. Last year it distributed £539 million to charities in the UK and across the world.

CAF Chief Executive Sir John Low said:

“It is crucial that the regulation of charities is adequately resourced. Significant cuts in funding from the Treasury in recent years mean there is now a clear need for additional money if the Commission is to be able to do its important job properly.

“However the idea of a levy on charities to fund the Commission does throw up problems - millions of generous people who give to charity will not want the money they donate to a their favourite cause diverted to a regulator instead of the front line.

“We believe there are a number of better ways to solve the problem of funding an effective charity regulator. With the issue of charging firmly on the agenda, and governance changes at the Commission, we believe now is the time to look at all the alternatives.

“One of the inherent roles of the Charity Commission is to improve the governance of charities. Introducing a charge for those late filing their accounts would not only provide much-needed additional funding, but would also provide a very real incentive for charities to improve their governance.”
   
Read our report 'Funding the Charity Commission'

NOTES TO EDITORS

  1. For more information or to arrange an interview, contact the media office on media@cafonline.org or 03000 123 286
  2. The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) is one of the largest charitable foundations in Europe and amongst the largest providers of philanthropic products and services to charities, donors and companies worldwide. 
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