Charities: Finance

Mr. Maude
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster with reference to his Department's press release of 8 April 2009, on campaigning charities, what restrictions will govern the use of the available funds for (a) political campaigning and (b) the promotion of political campaigns by charities.

Kevin Brennan
The Government want to promote the development of strong active and empowered communities. Organisations that represent the voices of their community and campaign for change are central to this. This role is particularly important in respect of groups that currently feel disadvantaged in decision-making processes.

All third sector organisations that participate in the innovative campaigning programme must adhere to the Charity Commission guidance on campaigning which can be found at

http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/publications/cc9.asp.

This guidance makes it clear that charities can engage in political campaigning in furtherance of their charitable objectives, but can not engage in party political campaigning.