Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government with reference to the report by the Jewish Chronicle on 7 August that some UK charities had shown support for terror groups, what steps they are taking to investigate allegations that trustees and leading figures of the charities Dar Alhekma and the Abrar Islamic Foundation have been involved in violent assaults targeting Iranian dissidents in London and supported proscribed terrorist organisations.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

The UK Government continually assesses potential threats to the UK and will act where necessary to address those threats. We are committed to tackling those who spread views that sow divisions within our communities and oppose the values we share as a society. Where there is clear evidence that Iranian-linked or aligned organisations are undertaking malign activity, the Government will respond accordingly.

It is an offence under section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 to be a member of, invite support for, or recklessly express support for a proscribed organisation such that it encourages others to support that organisation. The proscription offences can attract up to 14 years in prison.

The investigation and prosecution of criminal offences is a matter for the police and Crown Prosecution Service and these decisions are taken independently of the Government.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the report by the Jewish Chronicle on 7 August that some UK charities had shown support for terror groups, whether they plan to refer these charities for investigation by the Charity Commission to determine their eligibility for charitable status.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave to question HL1170 to Lord Blencathra on 21 October 2024:

"The Charity Commission for England and Wales ('the Commission') has a statutory function to identify and investigate misconduct and mismanagement in charities, and we are confident that it has the expertise to do so effectively. The Commission assesses concerns in accordance with its published regulatory and risk framework, and has a wide range of powers to investigate and remedy the abuse of charities. Any evidence that a registered charity is engaged in misconduct or mismanagement should be referred to the Commission.

The Commission has open regulatory compliance cases into both the Abrar Islamic Foundation and the Dar Alhekma Trust, and will determine if there is a need to take action."

The Charity Commission has been clear that the promotion of extremist views in charities is unacceptable, and that it will respond robustly where there proves to have been wrongdoing.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the report by the Jewish Chronicle on 7 August that some UK charities had shown support for terror groups and that the Charity Commission was assessing whether to begin a formal investigation, whether a charity commission investigation has been initiated.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave to question HL1170 to Lord Blencathra on 21 October 2024:

"The Charity Commission for England and Wales ('the Commission') has a statutory function to identify and investigate misconduct and mismanagement in charities, and we are confident that it has the expertise to do so effectively. The Commission assesses concerns in accordance with its published regulatory and risk framework, and has a wide range of powers to investigate and remedy the abuse of charities. Any evidence that a registered charity is engaged in misconduct or mismanagement should be referred to the Commission.

The Commission has open regulatory compliance cases into both the Abrar Islamic Foundation and the Dar Alhekma Trust, and will determine if there is a need to take action."

The Charity Commission has been clear that the promotion of extremist views in charities is unacceptable, and that it will respond robustly where there proves to have been wrongdoing.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the report by the Jewish Chronicle on 7 August that some UK charities had shown support for terror groups, what assessment have they made of whether the charities Dar Alhekma, the Abrar Islamic Foundation, and other charities connected with them are promoting extremism in the UK.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave to question HL1170 to Lord Blencathra on 21 October 2024:

"The Charity Commission for England and Wales ('the Commission') has a statutory function to identify and investigate misconduct and mismanagement in charities, and we are confident that it has the expertise to do so effectively. The Commission assesses concerns in accordance with its published regulatory and risk framework, and has a wide range of powers to investigate and remedy the abuse of charities. Any evidence that a registered charity is engaged in misconduct or mismanagement should be referred to the Commission.

The Commission has open regulatory compliance cases into both the Abrar Islamic Foundation and the Dar Alhekma Trust, and will determine if there is a need to take action."

The Charity Commission has been clear that the promotion of extremist views in charities is unacceptable, and that it will respond robustly where there proves to have been wrongdoing.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what were the terms of departure of Lord Wharton from his role as Chairman of Office for Students.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Lord Wharton resigned as chair of the Office for Students (OfS) on 9 July 2024.

Lord Wharton’s resignation was accepted by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, who swiftly appointed Sir David Behan as temporary chair of the OfS while the process to appoint a permanent chair is undertaken.

The department thanked Lord Wharton for his service as chair of the OfS through a period of change and challenge.

Found: Brian Martin Day 257 30 March 2022 Sir Brandon Lewis / Brian Martin Day 258 31 March 2022 Lord Wharton of Yarm

Found: included the Rt Hon Don Foster MP , Stephen Williams MP , James Wharton MP (now the Rt Hon The Lord Wharton of Yarm

Found: Directors’ report The chair of the OfS during the year under review was James Wharton (Lord Wharton of Yarm