The UK Government has unveiled plans to give the charity regulator stronger powers to shut down organisations found to be promoting extremism, in a move designed
to protect public trust in the charitable sector.
Under the proposals, officials will work with the Charity Commission to speed up investigations into charities suspected of extremist activity. The changes aim to ensure that organisations abusing charitable status to spread hatred or promote violence can be dealt with more quickly and effectively.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has instructed officials to explore ways to accelerate the regulatory process. This could include faster decision-making procedures and a review of how appeals against enforcement actions are handled.
Faster action against extremist activity
The proposed reforms are intended to make it easier for authorities to intervene when charities are suspected of promoting extremist views. If implemented, the Charity Commission could gain enhanced powers to close organisations that misuse charitable status.
The government says the vast majority of charities operate responsibly and provide vital services to communities. However, ministers argue that stronger safeguards are needed to prevent a small number of organisations from exploiting the system.
New rules for trustees and fundraising oversight
Alongside enforcement changes, the government is considering additional reforms aimed at improving transparency and accountability across the charity sector.
These include:
- Mandatory identity verification for charity trustees
- Digitising charity accounts to improve oversight and monitoring
- Strengthening local authority powers to fine or take enforcement action against unlicensed street fundraising
Officials say these steps would help improve governance and reduce the risk of misconduct.
Consultation on banning hate crime offenders from charity leadership
A separate consultation expected to launch soon will explore proposals to automatically bar individuals convicted of hate crimes from serving as charity trustees or senior managers.
The consultation will also consider expanding the Charity Commission’s authority to disqualify individuals where there is evidence they have used their position to promote violence or hatred.
Part of wider plans to strengthen social cohesion
The measures form part of broader government efforts to reinforce what ministers describe as the UK’s “social contract.” Later announcements are expected to focus on promoting national pride, encouraging community integration, and addressing social division.
Rising number of investigations
Regulators have already stepped up scrutiny in this area. Since October 2023, the Charity Commission has opened more than 400 regulatory cases related to suspected hate speech and referred around 70 cases to police where potential criminal offences may have occurred.
The government says the proposed reforms are intended to ensure charities remain a force for good, while preventing extremist groups from misusing charitable status to advance harmful agendas.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Charities are the lifeblood of our communities, and we will not allow extremists to hijack their good name.
By giving the Charity Commission the teeth it needs to act fast and decisively, we will close the door on those who exploit charitable status to spread hate, and open a new chapter that gives the sector the protection it deserves.
This is a vital step in our ongoing work of national renewal and a Britain built for all.
These measures build on the Civil Society Covenant launched last summer, which is harnessing the collective power that charities play in bringing communities together and supporting Britain’s most vulnerable people”. Photo by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street, Wikimedia commons.
Nick Brown