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Charity fund-raising regulator should be scrapped - review Charity fund-raising regulator should be scrapped - review
(about 5 hours later)
The body that regulates charity fund-raising should be scrapped and replaced with a more powerful regulator with tougher sanctions, a report has said.The body that regulates charity fund-raising should be scrapped and replaced with a more powerful regulator with tougher sanctions, a report has said.
A government-commissioned review said the Fundraising Standards Board (FRSB) had lost the public's confidence.A government-commissioned review said the Fundraising Standards Board (FRSB) had lost the public's confidence.
It follows concerns about aggressive fund-raising tactics by some charities, particularly targeting the vulnerable. A new opt-out register covering contact from charities is recommended.It follows concerns about aggressive fund-raising tactics by some charities, particularly targeting the vulnerable. A new opt-out register covering contact from charities is recommended.
The FRSB agreed some reform was needed.The FRSB agreed some reform was needed.
But it added: "We strongly believe that a revamped FRSB, properly resourced, would be the most viable and cost-effective way of moving forward in developing better regulation of charity fund-raising."But it added: "We strongly believe that a revamped FRSB, properly resourced, would be the most viable and cost-effective way of moving forward in developing better regulation of charity fund-raising."
'Name and shame''Name and shame'
At present, the FRSB regulates standards set by fund-raisers themselves and the review - carried out by three cross-party peers and chaired by Sir Stuart Etherington - found this was an "inappropriate arrangement".At present, the FRSB regulates standards set by fund-raisers themselves and the review - carried out by three cross-party peers and chaired by Sir Stuart Etherington - found this was an "inappropriate arrangement".
Among their report's recommendations:Among their report's recommendations:
The death of the UK's longest-serving poppy seller Olive Cooke put the issue of charity fund-raising under the spotlight earlier this year.The death of the UK's longest-serving poppy seller Olive Cooke put the issue of charity fund-raising under the spotlight earlier this year.
An inquest found Mrs Cooke, who was 92 and from Bristol, had received 267 charity letters in one month.An inquest found Mrs Cooke, who was 92 and from Bristol, had received 267 charity letters in one month.
It led to suggestions that the hounding for money had pushed her to take her own life, although her family insist the charities were not to blame.It led to suggestions that the hounding for money had pushed her to take her own life, although her family insist the charities were not to blame.
Earlier this month, it was alleged that an 87-year-old dementia patient's personal details were sold or passed on by charities up to 200 times.Earlier this month, it was alleged that an 87-year-old dementia patient's personal details were sold or passed on by charities up to 200 times.
The Information Commissioner's Office is investigating claims that former Army colonel Samuel Rae was targeted by fraudsters and lost thousands of pounds after his information ended up with scammers.The Information Commissioner's Office is investigating claims that former Army colonel Samuel Rae was targeted by fraudsters and lost thousands of pounds after his information ended up with scammers.
Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, said Britain was a "tremendously generous country" but charities were not thinking hard enough about "what it was like to be on the receiving end of some of their fund-raising methods".Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, said Britain was a "tremendously generous country" but charities were not thinking hard enough about "what it was like to be on the receiving end of some of their fund-raising methods".
"They thought too much about the ends and not enough about the means," he said."They thought too much about the ends and not enough about the means," he said.
'New approach''New approach'
"The reality is that most people give to charities when they are asked to, rather than spontaneously, so charities do need to ask. But they should inspire people to give, not pressure them to.""The reality is that most people give to charities when they are asked to, rather than spontaneously, so charities do need to ask. But they should inspire people to give, not pressure them to."
Rob Wilson, minister for Civil Society, welcomed the "wide-ranging" report, which he said represented a "new approach to fund-raising self-regulation". He added that he would consider it fully.Rob Wilson, minister for Civil Society, welcomed the "wide-ranging" report, which he said represented a "new approach to fund-raising self-regulation". He added that he would consider it fully.
In July, the government announced that charities would be forced to draw up written agreements showing how vulnerable people would be protected from aggressive fundraising tactics, in amendments to the Charities Bill.In July, the government announced that charities would be forced to draw up written agreements showing how vulnerable people would be protected from aggressive fundraising tactics, in amendments to the Charities Bill.
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