This funding has been awarded as a interim solution,
while the Commission considers longer term, more
sustainable funding models.
This includes the regulator consulting on whether the
largest charities should make a modest contribution to
the Commission’s enabling work, aimed at helping over
half a million trustees across England and Wales manage
their charities effectively and efficiently. The
Commission now plans to launch a formal consultation
later in the year.
MP, Minister for
Sport and Civil Society, says
The Charity Commission does vital work regulating
this vibrant sector and ensuring the public can
support charities with confidence.
I am delighted that this funding will mean the
Commission can meet the increasing demands for its
services and help charities continue to improve lives
up and down the country. It is important that the
sector continues to innovate, and this includes the
Commission considering a range of funding models for
the future.
William Shawcross, Chairman of the Charity Commission,
says:
I am pleased that the additional transitional funding
from Government acknowledges the unprecedented rise
in demand on the Commission’s services in recent
years. The new money will help us continue to
increase the effectiveness of our core regulatory
functions in the short term, as we explore this
longer term solutions.
It is right that we consider whether those in the
sector with the broadest shoulders should make a
contribution towards aspects of our work, and I am
pleased that we will shortly be publishing a
consultation on whether and how we do this. We would
plan to use these funds to increase and improve the
services and support we offer and want to encourage
charities to step forward and feed in their thoughts.
The Commission is now working on detailed proposals,
including whether to charge large charities. It expects
to launch a consultation that will ask for charities’
views on:
-
The practicalities and implications of a system for
charging the largest charities.
The details are under consideration by the
Commission, but it expects to consult on proposals
that would see it receiving around £7.5million a
year through contributions from the 2,000 largest
charities on the register, namely those with annual
incomes of over £5million.
-
The enabling work charities and trustees would like
to see the Commission expanding or developing.
The Commission will be keen to hear from charities
of all sizes and types about their current and
future needs for support and enabling work from the
Commission. This element of the consultation is
likely to focus in particular on smaller charities.
Recent research revealed that 80% of trustees are
responsible for charities that do not have paid
staff; they consequently look to the Commission for
authoritative advice and guidance on managing their
charities effectively and efficiently.
