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NCVO-led group to review the effects and burdens of Charities Act 2006

Governance | Vibeka Mair | 31 Aug 2011

NCVO has set up a new group to lead an independent review of charity law, which will shadow the work of the government’s own review of the Charities Act 2006 due to start in November.

The group, named the Charity Law Review Advisory Group, will enquire and report on the operation of the Charities Act 2006, with particular focus on its overall effect on public trust and confidence in charities. The group will also target areas of charity legislation that have been identified as causing uncertainty or carrying disproportionate regulatory burdens.

The Charities Act 2006 was the biggest overhaul of charity law in the UK for 400 years. One of the most fundamental changes was that charities would no longer be presumed to provide public benefit, but would have to prove that they do so in order to retain their charitable status and accompanying tax breaks.

The group will hold its first meeting in the autumn, and report on its findings in spring 2012.

Baroness Howe of Idlicote, who will act as chair for the group, said: "This is a great opportunity to review how we can improve and clarify existing law, to ensure charities operate in a truly modern legal framework whilst maintaining public confidence in the sector."

 Sir Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive of NCVO, said: "This review is very timely, and follows on naturally from NCVO’s original work campaigning for the Charities Act 2006.  We look forward to working together and presenting our recommendations to Government next year."

The members of the Advisory Group are:

• Lord Low of Dalston (President of ICEVI – International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment, former president of the European Blind Union and chair of RNIB from 2000 to 2009)

• Sir Stuart Etherington (Chief executive of NCVO)

• Sir Nicholas Young (Chief executive of the British Red Cross)

• Rosie Chapman (former director of policy and effectiveness at the Charity Commission)

• Dominic Fox (Chief executive of the Association of Charitable Organisations)

• Stephen Lloyd (Senior partner, Bates Wells and Braithwaite)

• Francesca Quint (Barrister, Radcliffe Chambers)

• Christine Rigby (Partner, Bates Wells and Braithwaite)

• John Stoker (founding Chief executive of the Mayor's London Bombings Relief Charitable Fund, and former chief Charity Commissioner)

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