The amendments to the regulator’s guidance, Political activities and campaigning by charities, are the result of extensive consultation, which discovered that charities may not have been aware of the scope they had within this arena. The commission has now taken a less cautionary approach resulting in more flexibility for those charities wanting to campaign.

Chris Stalker, head of campaigns and communications for NCVO, said: “It is good news that the Charity Commission has heeded the call for less cautionary guidance on charity campaigning and political activities. Charities are political in the sense that they engage with the political process to achieve real long lasting change for their beneficiaries. These new guidelines acknowledge the benefits of campaigning as well as the risks.”

Director of policy and strategy for the commission, Rosie Chapman, said: “The briefest glance at the world stage shows how important it is for charities to be able to campaign for change. We hope the publication of this guidance will clarify the many ways they can do this.”

The amendments have also been welcomed elsewhere in the sector. Richard Davidson, Cancer Research UK's head of public affairs, said: “The clarity in this document removes the uncertainty that was preventing charities from fulfilling the opportunities open to them in campaigning and political activities. Due to the high levels of trust and confidence that charities enjoy, it is essential that their role in campaigning is not stifled.”
CC9, Political activities and campaigning by charities can be downloaded from the commission's website at www.charitycommission.gov.uk under 'Publications'.