The Independent Schools Council's election manifesto demands that the Charity Commission end its "illegal" interpretation of public benefit.

The ISC manifesto, which was launched this week, asks the Charity Commission to stop acting "illegally" and listen to the views of charity experts who believe the Commission has exceeded its powers in relation to interpreting and enforcing a public benefit test for charitable ISC schools.

It calls on the Charity Commission to provide public benefit guidance which is consistent with the law.

A Charity Commission spokeswoman responded: "The Charities Act 2006 required the Charity Commission to produce statutory guidance on public benefit for all charities, not just charitable independent schools, and this was published in 2008. The Act requires all charity trustees to have regard to that guidance and we set out our legal reasoning clearly and carefully alongside it. 

"The guidance has been well received by charities, with recent research showing that 92 per cent of those who have used it found it useful.  We fully consulted with charities and other interested parties before publishing our guidance, and we will continue to work in dialogue with charities and their umbrella bodies, including the ISC, to promote awareness and understanding of the public benefit requirement."