Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Charity Regulation

Thursday 20 July 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Charity Commission performs its role as the independent registrar and regulator of charities in England and Wales.
  • The Minister expressed serious concern about all forms of discrimination, including homophobia.
  • The Minister agreed to speak with colleagues regarding a case of alleged homophobic bias at the Arts Council England.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Joanna Cherry SNP
Standards & Ethics
Context

The question arises from an assessment needed on the effectiveness of charity regulation.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the regulation of charities?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

The Charity Commission performs an important and effective function as the independent registrar and regulator of charities in England and Wales. The commission's annual report and accounts for 2022-23 provide a detailed analysis of its performance and effectiveness. Charity law and regulation is of course devolved in both Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Partly answered

How: Charity Law And Regulation Is Of Course Devolved In Both Scotland And Northern Ireland

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Q2 Joanna Cherry SNP
Culture, Media & Sport Women & Equalities
Context

A tribunal case revealed homophobic bias among some staff at Arts Council England, affecting LGB groups' grant applications.

Question

In the course of a tribunal claim for harassment on account of gender-critical beliefs, considerable homophobic bias was exposed at Arts Council England. What is being done to tackle this climate of prejudice and bias?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

I hope the hon. and learned Lady knows that I take all forms of discrimination extremely seriously, and there should be no place for that. She raises an individual case. The Arts Council does not come under my portfolio, but I will happily speak to my ministerial colleagues about that and ensure that we write to her with an answer.

Partly answered

How: The Arts Council Does Not Come Under My Portfolio

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Q3 Peter Bottomley Con
Context

Concerns raised about the Actors' Benevolent Fund and charity regulation.

Question

Following from previous questions, does my right hon. Friend read Private Eye? If he does, he will have seen an article on the Actors' Benevolent Fund, where those who did right were put out and those who did wrong were supported by the Charity Commission. Can he say to the Charity Commission that people in Parliament are watching this with some surprise?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

Of course the Charity Commission is an independent body, but I have regular meetings with it. I am not a regular reader of Private Eye, but I will make sure that I seek out that article ahead of my next meeting with the Charity Commission.

Partly answered

How: I Am Not A Regular Reader Of Private Eye

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