The government is set to consult on expanded powers for the Charity Commission to ban people convicted of hate crimes from trusteeship and holding senior manager positions.
In parliament last week, Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Burt asked the government what steps it was taking to ensure charities cannot advance ideologies that promote misogyny, sexism or violence against women.
Culture minister Baroness Twycross said in response that “anyone who advocates for violence against women has absolutely no place in a charity”.
She said the government was pressing ahead with plans to enable the commission to bar anyone convicted of hate crimes from serving as a trustee or senior charity manager automatically.
The plans, which would expand current rules banning those with unspent convictions related to terrorism, money-laundering and bribery, drew some concerns from the sector when announced last month.
Last week, Baroness Twycross said: “The Charity Commission, as the independent regulator, won’t hesitate to act where charities promote harmful or unlawful actions.
“The government will consult in due course on new powers for the Charity Commission to automatically ban individuals convicted of hate crimes from serving as charity trustees or senior managers.
“We’ll also make it easier for the commission to take regulatory action against people promoting violence, terrorism or hatred.”
Civil Society understands that the consultation will be launched in early 2026.
Commission reviewing NSS’s report
Baroness Burt said “some charities register under the charitable purpose of advancement of religion to promote misogynistic ideology in the name of religion, which threatens the rights and well-being of some of the most vulnerable members of their flock”.
She cited a recent report by the National Secular Society (NSS), which recommended that the government and charity regulators revoke “the charitable status of organisations promoting subordination, coercive control or violence against women and girls, or other forms of misogyny”.
Baroness Burt said: “No charity worth its salt should ever promote misogyny or any other ideology that harms people and society.
“Should we not therefore review the role of the charitable purpose of the advancement of religion, with a view to its removal if it’s a barrier to tackling misogyny or other forms of extremism?”
In response, Baroness Twycross said the commission was currently reviewing NSS’s report to determine whether it raises any new regulatory concerns.
“I read the report [...] and some of the examples provided are shocking,” she said.
“However, I’m pleased to say that the commission has already investigated a number of the charities cited.
“I’ve also spoken to the minister for civil society and youth, and I reassure the noble baroness that she’s looking at ways to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers to tackle abuse of charities by extremists, whatever type of extremist they are.”
Baroness Twycross added that several of the measures being considered by the government “wouldn’t require primary legislation, but others might at some point in the future”.
