A poverty relief charity based in Glasgow has been ordered not to undertake any activities for six months after ignoring official orders while under investigation.
Last week, the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) said the Gate Way for the Less Privileged had failed to engage with its repeated attempts to obtain information from the charity.
OSCR opened an inquiry into the charity in January 2024 following concerns about one of its trustees carrying out public fundraising without the required reporting to local authorities.
The regulator said it has repeatedly contacted the charity to seek information about who its trustees are, what charitable activities it undertakes and how it uses its assets.
Despite using its formal powers, OSCR said it has not received the necessary information about the charity’s governance, finances or activities.
The Gate Way for the Less Privileged, whose mission is to alleviate poverty in Scotland and Africa, was awarded charitable status in December 2018.
According to OSCR, the charity’s trustees have previously stated that the charity “has undertaken limited activities”.
However, OSCR said it has received information suggesting that the charity “has continued to fundraise via public collections in different local authority areas across Scotland”.
OSCR’s website shows that the charity, which recorded a total income of £21,900 in 2022-23, is over a year late in submitting its financial information for the year ending 31 March 2024.
Charity’s assets ‘may be at risk’
The regulator said: “As a result of inquiries to date, it isn’t clear what activities the charity is undertaking in furtherance of its purposes and OSCR is concerned that the charity’s assets may be at risk.
“OSCR needs to undertake further inquiries into the charity’s governance and recent activities.
“Our inquiries are ongoing and this direction does not pre-empt the outcome of these inquiries.
“However, given the seriousness of the situation, OSCR considers it appropriate to direct the charity not to undertake any activities, including fundraising activities, whilst our inquiries are ongoing.
“This direction is valid for six months and expires on 30 July 2026. The direction can be revoked or varied by OSCR during that period if it is determined appropriate to do so.”
Civil Society could not contact the Gate Way for the Less Privileged for comment.
