The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr Nick Hurd)
I am today announcing that Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts has been appointed to undertake a broad review of the legal and regulatory framework for charities. Under section 73 of the Charities Act 2006 a person must be appointed to review the operation of the Charities Act 2006 within five years of enactment. The charity law review will not only consider the operation of the Charities Act 2006, but will also consider whether further changes are needed to ensure that the legal and regulatory framework for charities is clear and effective.
The terms of reference for the review are broad. They include issues that the review must cover as set out in section 73 of the Charities Act 2006, issues that the Government believe should be addressed, and issues that the charity sector has asked to be considered. The terms of reference for the review are available on the Cabinet Office website at: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk, and I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the House Library.
Lord Hodgson will set out, in due course, how charities and other stakeholders will be able to engage in the review process.
The aim is for the review to report in June 2012, and a copy of the report of the review will be laid before Parliament.