The government has launched a 10-week public consultation on proposals to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers to tackle extremist abuse of charities in England and Wales.
Under the proposed measures, individuals convicted of specified hate-related offences would be automatically disqualified from serving as charity trustees or senior managers, extending existing restrictions that already apply to people convicted of terrorism and other serious offences.
The plans would also give the Charity Commission discretionary powers to disqualify individuals where evidence shows they have promoted violence or racial or religious hatred.
Developed jointly by the government and the regulator, the proposals aim to close gaps in existing safeguards and prevent charities from being used to promote extremism.
Civil Society Minister Vicky Foxcroft said charities made an enormous contribution to communities across the country but that stronger action was needed where organisations were used to spread hatred or violence.
She said the government wanted to strengthen safeguards while protecting legitimate debate and campaigning, adding that feedback from charities, trustees and the public would help ensure the measures worked effectively in practice.
David Holdsworth, chief executive of the Charity Commission, said: ‘Lawful freedom of speech is fundamental to any democracy and robust debate, differences of opinion, and oppositional world views have always been features of our vibrant charity sector – and always will be.
‘However, there is no place in the charity sector for the promotion of violence or racial or religious hatred, and our powers must keep pace with the changing threats in this area. We have worked closely with the government to develop proposals that will help us protect charities against those who would misuse them to spread hate and we encourage people to take part in the consultation and have their say about these.’
The proposals form part of the government’s wider Protecting What Matters action plan, which aims to strengthen protections against extremism across society. Ministers will continue working with the commission to consider whether further powers may be required.
The consultation will run for 10 weeks and close on 22nd December 2026. Charities, trustees, sector organisations and members of the public are invited to submit their views through the government’s consultation website or by emailing charitylaw@dcms.gov.uk.
The government has said it will publish a summary of responses and its formal response after the consultation closes.
The announcement follows increased regulatory scrutiny of charities amid the escalation of conflict in the Middle East. Since October 2023, the Charity Commission has opened more than 400 cases examining potential wrongdoing in charities in this context and made more than 80 referrals to police where it considered that a criminal offence might have been committed.
The consultation will help determine how the proposed safeguards can protect charities from extremist abuse while maintaining legitimate freedom of expression and campaigning.
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