OSCR has said that a Scottish charity can advocate a yes or no vote for Scotland’s upcoming independence referendum, as long as it is part of its charitable purposes.
OSCR has today published new guidance for charities on the referendum on Scottish independence.
On 18 September 2014, a referendum on Scottish independence will be held. Voters will be asked the yes/no question. "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
OSCR has today said that charities may speak out and campaign on the referendum, including advocating a yes or no vote, as long as they stay within the requirements of charity law. But, OSCR also says that charities should consider the potential implications.
OSCR's chief executive, David Robb, said that the new guidance both reinforced the regulator's established position on general political campaigning and considered the particular circumstances of the referendum, explaining what charities had to consider to ensure they remained focused on pursuing their charitable purposes.
“For many charities, advocacy and campaigning is core business, and the referendum on independence for Scotland raises key questions on which charities, rightly, will want to have a say,” says Robb.
However, earlier this year the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations criticised OSCR for stepping “outside its regulatory remit” in draft guidance produced for charities on the Scottish independence referendum.
OSCR has also today published three webcasts featuring charities that have already considered their approach to the independence referendum.
View the webcasts here:
