The regulator has reassured charities that they can feel confident following the current guidance on campaigning, CC9, in the lead up to the election.

The Charity Commission said comments made by chief executive Paula Sussex at an APPG on Civil Society and Volunteering meeting last night had given rise to the impression that CC9 is being reviewed.

However, the regulator said it was just following the usual practice of monitoring charities’ political activity in the run-up to the election.

“Findings from our election case work, along with the impact of the Lobbying Act, will have to be reviewed after the election,” the commission said in a statement. “Such a review, and the consideration of other issues relating to the current guidance, may or may not recommend changes to the guidance. If we do consider revisions should be made to CC9, we will say so publicly and consult widely.”

The regulator said a ‘rapid response’ case handling system has been established this year to allow it to swiftly follow up any concerns that are raised about charities’ activity.

Such an approach is especially important now, the commission said, after the passage of the Lobbying Act.

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