Cabinet Office changed door-to-door rules without consulting or notifying PFRA or charities

27 Jan 2016 News

The PFRA has expressed concern that the government made unwelcome changes to door-to-door fundraising rules in December without notifying or consulting the street fundraising regulator or any of its members.

The PFRA has expressed concern that the government made unwelcome changes to door-to-door fundraising rules in December without notifying or consulting the street fundraising regulator or any of its members.

A spokesman from the PFRA told Civil Society News that the Cabinet Office announced changes on 22 December to National Exemption Orders - rules allowing some charities to fundraise door-to-door nationwide. But he said the changes were made without either consulting or even informing the membership body or any of its member charities or suppliers.

The spokesman said that as a result, the PFRA is concerned that some of the changes "are not feasible or appropriate for fundraising practices in modern charities particularly" in the context of direct debit giving and charities working with agencies.

The PFRA was only made aware of the changes in early January. The membership body subsequently wrote to the Cabinet Office to express its concern.

According to the PFRA spokesman, the Cabinet Office has agreed to meet with the organisation and a number of its members to discuss the updated guidance in February.

A spokeswoman from the Cabinet Office said that she was unable to clarify why neither the PFRA nor any of its members had been consulted on the updated guidance.  

Peter Hills-Jones, chief executive of the PFRA, said: “Since the guidance on NEOs was issued we have been in close contact with senior officials at the Cabinet Office to highlight our members' concerns.

“The Public Fundraising Association is committed to the highest standards of behaviour and transparency and believe any changes recommended by government must be based on hard evidence and clear goals.

“As constituted, we are not convinced these changes will benefit either donors or the wider public. The government has kindly agreed to meet us in February and we look forward to working with them in a positive way to resolve the matter."

A spokesman from the Cabinet Office said: "The Cabinet Office published operational guidance for the national exemption order scheme in December 2015 to create one central reference point and to improve accountability and transparency.

"There has never been one set of guidance for this scheme, which operates under legislation dating from 1939 and 1947.

"We are now consulting all relevant groups around some of this guidance to make sure organisations are aware of this existing legislation."