Criticism of Nandy’s ‘ineffective’ plans to tackle extremism in charities

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy’s proposals to bolster Charity Commission powers to tackle extremism in the sector “will prove ineffective in the majority of cases”, according to the National Secular Society (NSS).

Nandy told the Telegraph earlier this month that she wanted to give greater powers to the regulator to ban anyone who is convicted of hate crimes from serving as a charity trustee.

“We have seen too many shocking cases where extremists have tried to exploit charities to spread hate and division. That cannot be allowed to continue,” said Nandy.

“That is why we will ensure the Charity Commission has the powers it has asked for to bar anyone convicted of hate crimes from serving as a trustee or using charitable status as a shield for extremist activity. There can be no place for hate in our charity sector.”

But while welcoming tougher powers to tackle religious extremism, the NSS has written to Nandy to warn her that her plans will “not stop the promotion of extremism in the majority of cases” and called for “more fundamental reform” of charity law to tackle the issue.

Wider reform being called for includes reviewing advancing religion as a charitable purpose, and whether it is of public benefit.

The NSS says that during 2023 it reported 44 religious charities to the regulator over concerns about antisemitic and extremist statements made in the aftermath of Hamas’ attack on Israel.

But none of those making the concerning statements had been convicted of hate crimes. Also many were not trustees but instead preachers involved with the charities.

“We welcome the culture secretary's recognition of the role charities play in promoting extremism, and its efforts to crack down on the problem,” said NSS head of campaigns Megan Manson.

"But charity law needs more fundamental reform to prevent the sector being exploited by fundamentalists who spread division and extremism under the cloak of religion.

"Registered charities receive generous tax exemptions and other financial benefits in exchange for providing a public benefit. But promoting antisemitism, misogyny and other forms of extremism is inherently harmful.

“It is wrong in principle for organisations which promote such ideologies to be supported directly or indirectly by the state."