Big Issue: Public benefit

From 1 April, all registered charities will have to demonstrate that their activities are for the public benefit. But how will it work and what does it mean for charities and would-be charities?

Schools and commission clash

The Charity Commission has rejected claims by the Independent Schools Council that its new guidance on how the public benefit applies to fee-charging charities does not conform with case law.

Public Benefit: Two principles must be satisfied

From 1 April, all registered charities will have to demonstrate that their activities are for the public benefit, as set out in the Charity Commission's guidance on the subject, published today.

Umbrella bodies give thumbs up to public benefit guidance

Third sector umbrella organisations the NCVO and Acevo welcomed the final public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission yesterday.

Public benefit guidance needs tidying up, according to lawyers

Lawyers have urged the Charity Commission to use its forthcoming draft guidance on how the public benefit test applies to fee-charging charities to address issues they claim are still outstanding.

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Commission's final guidelines amend the definition of poverty

One of the main changes in the Charity Commission's final public benefit guidance, published today, is the use of the term 'people living in poverty' instead of 'people on low incomes', which had been suggested in the draft guidance last year.

Random checks will feature in new public benefit regime

The Charity Commission will carry out random checks on charities to ensure they comply with the new public benefit requirements that will take effect from 1 April.

Interview: This will bring us back to basics, says Dame Suzi

Suzi Leather

Charities have nothing to fear and much to gain from the public benefit test, according to Dame Suzi Leather, chair of the Charity Commission.

Charity test consultation begins

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator is launching a three-month consultation for its updated guidance on meeting the charity test in Scotland.

Public is sceptical on private school benefits

Nearly two thirds of the British public think independent schools need to do more to demonstrate their public benefit, according to a YouGov survey for insurance company Zurich.

Legal challenge to public benefit decision

A landmark Charity Commission decision about public benefit and fee-charging charities has caused consternation among charity lawyers and looks likely to end up in the High Court.

News analysis: Hospital reignites public benefit row

The Salisbury District Hospital sign

Refusal of charitable status to a private care subsidiary has polarised sector opinion. Emilie Filou reports.

New January deadline for public benefit guidance

The Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit requirements will be published in January, three months behind the original schedule. The delays have been caused partly by a massive response to the commission's consultation on draft guidance earlier this year.

Second commissioner faces dilemma over private school

Sharmila Nebhrajani

A second charity commissioner might have to withdraw from the discussions about whether independent schools provide public benefit if one of her children continues in private education.

Personal interest leads Leather to pull out of schools decisions

Dame Suzi Leather. Photo: Newscast

Dame Suzi Leather, the chair of the Charity Commission, will not be taking part in decisions regarding the charitable status of independent schools because she has declared a conflict of interest.

'Stand firm on public benefit' - NCVO

The NCVO is urging the Charity Commission to resist watering down its position on public benefit when it publishes its final guidance on the issue in October.

Private schools 'must do more' to justify charitable status

The debate over the charitable status of private schools has been reopened by two candidates for the Labour Party deputy leadership.

 

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PUBLIC BENEFIT

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