Charities have been given a "window of opportunity" to prove that fundraising self-regulation can work, the minister for civil society Rob Wilson has said.

Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association, Wilson said he was “giving self-regulation an opportunity to demonstrate it can work effectively" but warned that "the window may not remain open for much longer".

“I urge you to take that window of opportunity seriously... and make the short term and long term reforms necessary” he said.

Wilson’s comments come in light of controversy about fundraising practices following the death of pensioner Olive Cooke last month, amid reports she was 'hounded to death' by telephone fundraisers.  

Wilson said it was “imperative” for charities to “go the extra mile” to “uphold standards and re-establish the noble name of charity”.

“Change is essential,” he said. “You should embrace it and lead it, rather than wait and allow others to do it for you.”

'Serious risk'

“Charities’ hard won reputation is at serious risk and it is essential for the sector to rise to the challenge this presents and quickly demonstrate that fundraising is beyond reproach,” Wilson said.

Wilson acknowledged that “without fundraisers, charities as we know them would not exist”, but stressed “there can be no room for complacency.”

Wilson said there was a real danger that poor fundraising practices could risk the credibility of the charity sector.

“The longer-term reputation and credibility of the sector, and fundraisers in particular, is the greater prize,” he said.

Wilson’s comments follow “correspondence” with the regulators about “areas of potential chance and reform”, he said.

“The industry needs to look again at its standards, and whether the public are properly represented in how they are arrived at. It also needs to look at the bodies themselves and whether they are the best way to self-regulate.

“Regulators need to look at the consistency with which they are implemented and enforced, and close loopholes and expose poor practice wherever it is found,” he said.

But Wilson said more personal responsibility was needed by charities over their own fundraising practices.

“You do not have the luxury of time,” he said. “There are demands for immediate action not words. Now is the time to step up and meet the challenge head on.”