The Charity Commission received fewer complaints about charities' general election campaigning in 2024 than in previous years when the nation has voted.

Its research found there has been a 60% fall in high-risk cases being investigated by the regulator compared to the 2019 general election.

Between 22 May and 4 July this year the regulator opened just 34 new compliance cases and responded to 35 advice requests around general election campaigning.

Of these 14 were considered high risk cases by the regulator, which is less than half the number received during the previous general election.

This is a “positive and significant decline”, said the regulator, which points out that charities have a right to campaign to support their purposes as long as they take a neutral stance on party politics.

Charity leaders expressing support for a political party or candidate, visits to charities by prospective candidates and charities use of social media are the three main areas looked at by the regulator in dealing with general election campaigning investigations.

We’ve published a report of our activity and casework during the 2024 General Election.

Read the report: https://t.co/t3x0v0oNVN pic.twitter.com/vcJ0enkU3c

— Charity Commission (@ChtyCommission) August 14, 2024

Charity Commission chair Orlando Fraser says the decline in complaints “is true testament to the constructive and lawful way the sector has engaged with debates on the issues they champion”.

Fraser, who is a former Conservative Party general election candidate, added: “A general election is a critical moment for charities which provide vital insight on how to address issues facing our society.

“From the outset, we’ve highlighted the valuable role of charities. I have also set out our expectation that they take the lead in encouraging debates that are held with respect, tolerance and consideration of others at a time when, sadly, this is not always the case in public discourse.”

The Charity Commission’s guidance on campaigning and political activity can be found here.

---