Lord Mawson

We are committed to protecting the rights of individuals against unlawful discrimination, and ensuring the Equality Act 2010 (the Act) protects everyone.

That is why we have committed to commence the Act’s uncommenced dual discrimination provision and the socio-economic duty.

We are considering the currently uncommenced duty to make reasonable adjustments to the common parts of leasehold properties at Section 36 of the Act.

Proportionate and balanced regulation of charities is key to helping the sector deliver the vital work that it does. The Charities Act 2022, which gained Royal Assent in February 2022, implemented Law Commission recommendations to reform a number of processes in charity law. No formal impact assessment has yet been undertaken into the level of regulatory burden on charities, but in line with Government practice DCMS intends to conduct a post-Implementation review of the Charities Act 2022 by February 2027.

Proper safeguarding is a key governance priority for all charities and is core to the delivery of frontline services that charities provide. No formal impact assessment has been undertaken into the impacts of safeguarding regulation and guidance on charities.

The Charity Commission has published guidance for charities which helps charities understand their safeguarding responsibilities. The Government has also published an online safeguarding tool designed to help charities handle safeguarding allegations.

A post-implementation review will be conducted and published three to five years after Royal Assent, in line with usual Government practice. DCMS intends to conduct a post-Implementation review of the Charities Act 2022 by February 2027.

The Charities Act 2022, which gained Royal Assent in February 2022, implemented Law Commission recommendations to reform a number of processes in charity law. These include how charities can change their governing documents, sell land, make better use of permanent endowment funds, and merge with other charities.

The Act should reduce unnecessary or burdensome regulation that increases the sector’s costs and discourages people from volunteering to become trustees, whilst preserving important safeguards. The Law Commission’s recommendations are estimated to deliver savings for charities of £28m over a ten year period.

DCMS officials continue to review the charities’ legislative framework to ensure that regulation is balanced and proportionate.

The Government is considering its response to the 2022 consultation and will make an announcement in due course.