This in from Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Andrew Turner‘s office, in their own words. Ed
The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) yesterday, Monday 25 January, published its report on the 2015 charity fundraising controversy. The report concludes that trustees of charities must fulfil their responsibilities, or they will lose their ‘last chance’ of self-regulation of their fundraising.
Examining regulation of charity fundraising
Andrew Turner, the Island’s MP is a member of the cross-party Committee that launched the inquiry and took evidence on the problems. The purpose was to examine the regulation of charity fundraising and the way in which trustees of large charities govern fundraising.
This was done as a response to allegations which appeared in the national press last summer about the unethical practices employed in fundraising activities.
Drinking in the last chance saloon
Mr Turner said:
“There are a few charities that have given the industry a very bad reputation by targeting vulnerable and elderly groups. They are now drinking in the last chance saloon. We heard during the inquiry that a number of charities have been seriously breaking the rules. As PACAC’s chairman, Bernard Jenkin MP, said; the ultimate responsibility rests with trustees and this is their last chance to put their house in order.
“Charities must scrutinise their fundraising carefully, especially when fundraising is carried out by sub-contractors. We found that a number of chief executives were remorseful and acknowledged the problem. The Charity Commission’s new guidance is a welcome measure. And the Commission should work more proactively to ensure the new system works.”
Local charities do not have the same issues
Mr Turner added:
“Many problems seemed to only occur in national charities. Local charities, for example those operating on the Island, do not seem to have the same issues.”
The Government also took action in setting up the Etherington Review to look into the regulation of Charity Fundraising. The review recommended a new regulator of fundraising. An interim chief executive responsible to set up the new organisation was appointed in December last year.
