Ritchie introduces charities regulation

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA introduced the Charities Bill for Northern Ireland in the Assembly today.

The Bill includes proposals for the control of public charity collections and the introduction of a Charities Commission.

It has been developed following two public consultation exercises and discussions with key stakeholders. It is closely aligned to charity regulation in the rest of Great Britain and Ireland.

Speaking after the First Stage of the Bill, Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said: “This is an important step forward for the charitable sector in Northern Ireland. At present there is no requirement for charities to register, nor is there a regulating body for charities such as exists in England, Wales and Scotland. There was clear support for such a move during our consultation process. This will bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of Great Britain and Ireland and, importantly, provide the public with a level of assurance that their donations are going to a bona fide organisation.

“I believe this can only be a positive development, which will strengthen the charitable sector and protect it from potential abuse.”

The new legislation will introduce changes to the system of charities legislation and administration in Northern Ireland which will: - introduce a Charity Commission of Northern Ireland; introduce a Northern Ireland Register of Charities; require Northern Ireland charities to produce accounts to a specified standard and make them available to the public; make it easier for charities to dispose of land; and make it easier for small charities to amalgamate or wind up.

The legislation also contains new arrangements to control public collections through a system of licences and permits.

This is the first step in the legislative process, and will be followed by further legislation to implement the changes.

Notes to Editors:

1. There are currently three distinct charity law regimes in the UK, each with their own legislation and administrative systems. The main differences are that at present England and Wales has a charity commission and a fully operational compulsory register of charities while Scotland has recently established a charity regulator and a register. In the Republic of Ireland new draft legislation to set up a regulator and a register has been published.
2. At present, Northern Ireland does not have a charity commission or a register. Tax relief for charities is an excepted matter, dealt with by the Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs on a UK-wide basis.
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