Charities (Amendment) Bill 2023

Public bill · Government · Presented

The changes would tighten how charities are registered, monitored and removed from the register, while giving the regulator stronger powers to ask for information, inspect charities and act when there are governance problems. It would also introduce clearer rules on charity trustees, including who can serve, what duties they owe, and when a charity needs approval before changing its constitution or paying trustees or connected people. It would also update charity reporting rules, including accounts, annual returns and online publication of documents, and require charities to keep a members’ register. A key change is that advancing human rights would be recognised as a charitable purpose, and the appeal and enforcement systems would be strengthened.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to amend the Charities Act 2009; to make further provision in respect of the registration of charitable organisations; to require charitable organisations to apply for consent from the Charities Regulatory Authority in certain circumstances; to make further provision in respect of the removal of a charitable organisation from the register; to amend the accounting requirements for certain charitable organisations; to codify certain duties of charity trustees; to require charitable organisations to keep a record of members; to make further provision for enforcement; to provide exemptions for certain charitable organisations; to amend the Charities Act 1961; to amend the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997; and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 30 August 2024