21 February 2011
The Charity Commission, the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, has published a regulatory case report on its investigation into the Politics and Economic Research Trust (PERT), (registered charity no. 1121849). The investigation was opened to look into the Commission's concerns about the relationship between the charity and the Taxpayers Alliance, a non-charitable campaigning organisation.
The investigation examined the relationship between PERT and the Taxpayers Alliance and whether the charity has been used as a vehicle to channel funds enhanced with Gift Aid to the Taxpayers Alliance. The investigation saw no evidence to support this allegation.
The Commission's report also highlights for the wider charity sector some general principles that are illustrated by this case. These explain that charities may work with other charities and/or non-charitable organisations, providing that doing so is in furtherance of their objects. Charitable research may be undertaken in collaboration or by arrangement with non-charitable partners or organisations. In such cases, trustees need to assess and consider the risks and ensure that a record of their decision-making is maintained.
Ends.
Full details of the investigation can be found on the Charity Commission's website. For further information, please contact the press office.
PR 08/11
Notes to Editors
1. The Charity Commission is the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales. See www.charitycommission.gov.uk for further information or call our contact centre on 0845 300 0218.
2. Our mission is: to ensure charities' legal compliance, enhance charities' accountability, encourage charities' effectiveness and impact and to promote the public interest in charity.
3. The Commission conducts two kinds of investigation cases. Most concerns are dealt with through non-statutory investigations called ‘regulatory compliance cases'. However, in cases of significant risk and more serious regulatory concern we may open a statutory inquiry under section 8 of the Charities Act 1993. The decision to open a statutory inquiry will be based on a number of factors, including evidence of serious suspicion of misconduct or mismanagement in the administration of the charity and/or risk to property. The criteria we use are set out in our Risk and Proportionality Framework for the Commission's compliance work.
4. More information about the Charity Commission's Compliance Division can be found in Charities Back on Track, a report on the themes and wider issues arising from the Commission's compliance work. This can be found on the Commission's website.