The Insitute of Fundraising, Fundraising Standards Board and Public Fundraising Regulatory Association have welcomed the introduction of new rules for fundraisers and said that they will co-operate “fully” with a review group led by Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO.

The Cabinet Office announced that new rules will be introduced in the Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Bill in a statement on Saturday. The statement also said that Rob Wilson, minister for civil society, has asked Etherington to lead the review group to decide whether self-regulation, as it exists currently, works and whether new regulations need to be introduced.

Peter Lewis, chief executive of the IoF (pictured), welcomed this weekend's announcement and said that charities must, “take responsibility” for their fundraising activities, even if those are subcontracted to an agency.

“The vast majority of fundraising in the UK is undertaken to the very highest standards, however it is clear from what has been exposed over the last few weeks that some practices are totally unacceptable. Vulnerable people should never feel under pressure to donate and we are determined to put that right. We welcome any steps that will further help protect vulnerable people from unwanted or inappropriate approaches.

“It is also absolutely right that charities have to take responsibility for the activities of any subcontracted agencies, and ensure those agencies behave in an appropriate and respectful way to any vulnerable or potentially vulnerable people,” he said.

Lewis also said that the IoF “looks forward” to collaborating with Etherington and his review group:

“We also welcome the suggested review of the regulation of fundraising and look forward to working with the government and Sir Stuart to make sure it delivers a robust self-regulatory system that we can all be proud of.”

Alistair McLean, chief executive of the FRSB, also welcomed the announcement. He said:

“Having highlighted the need for greater safeguards for people in vulnerable circumstances a few weeks ago, we welcome the announcement that a new law will be introduced to ensure closer scrutiny of charities' management of contracted fundraising agencies.

"Transparency and respect must be at the heart of all fundraising practice and we welcome these additional measures to rebuild public trust and to enable people to make more informed choices about their giving.

“We also support the government review of the self-regulatory framework, led by Sir Stuart Etherington that will seek to ensure the current system is protecting the public whilst enabling charities to continue seeking donations for the many vitally deserving causes they address.”

Peter Hills-Jones, chief executive of the PFRA, urged his members to participate in the review and said: "I am delighted that the government has asked Sir Stuart Etherington to chair a review of the current self-regulatory system for charity fundraising. Sir Stuart commands widespread respect within the charity sector, and I look forward to working with him closely over the next two months."

He also revealed that the PFRA was in the process of developing online learning tools for its members. 

"The PFRA is making a significant investment in a state-of-the-art elearning training package to help fundraisers stick to the rules and follow best practice. One of the modules will concentrate on helping fundraisers understand their responsibility to protect vulnerable groups. 

"We have brought together a panel of experts in the field to advise on the construction of this module, including representatives from the Institute of Fundraising, and the Fundraising Standards Board.  We will keep the review panel fully informed of our work in this area.”

Sector responses

Spokespeople from a number of charities have also offered responses to Civil Society News, including the NSPCC, Macmillan Cancer Support and Oxfam.

An NSPCC spokesman said: "We welcome stronger regulation that helps raise essential funds for important causes with public confidence. We look forward to engaging with Sir Stuart Etherington's review where we can help."

Mark Goldring, chief executive of Oxfam, said: “Oxfam welcomes these changes and will work with regulators to rid the sector of rogue fundraisers.

“We work tirelessly to protect the rights of vulnerable people and recognise the need for clearer more transparent rules."

A Macmillan spokeswoman said: "We look forward to working with all the bodies involved to make this happen and are committed to implementing any recommendations that help ensure all our fundraising activities meet the highest standards possible."

William Shawcross, chair of the Charity Commission, said: “I welcome these measures aimed at upholding public trust in the self-regulation of charity fundraising.

"It is vital that the public can have confidence that fundraising practices by charities are honourable, ethical and considerate.”

A spokesman for nfpSynergy said: "Charities do great work and of course fundraising is vital, but the sector cannot continue to ignore the irritation that it can cause.

"Self-regulation certainly has its problems, such as the fact that the panel setting the IoF's Code of Fundraising Practice is made up almost entirely of fundraisers themselves.

"Hopefully this review can begin to repair the significant recent damage to the sector's public image."

Daily Mail claims ‘victory’

Tabloid newspaper the Daily Mail claimed the announcement on Friday was a “victory” over “charity cold call sharks” and said that its series of undercover exposes into fundraising agencies will play a “key part” in the review.

While not mentioning the Daily Mail specifically in a blog published on the NCVO website last Friday, Sir Stuart Etherington said that it had been a “terrible week in media terms,” for the sector.

Etherington’s review group will report back to the Cabinet Office with its recommendations in September.