The draft Bill already includes such a duty to enable "the continuance of commercial activities". But according to one of the Treasury's solicitors working on the Bill this would have limited applicability to charities.

"With respect to the voluntary sector, some activities are commercial in nature and will be covered by the Bill, eg the work of a charity shop or the activities of the NSPCC when they arrange for department stores to sell badges on their behalf," wrote Katharine Hayes, in response to an enquiry about the Bill's interpretation.

However, George Cook, chief executive of Charity Logistics, which raised the issue, complains that this would not cover charities' core activities, and criticised the Charities Minister for not doing more to represent the sector's interests.

"It's bizarre that Fiona Mactaggart has been sitting on the parliamentary committee that's been examining this bill and she has not said or done anything to defend the sector," he said.