Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with the Charity Commission on oversight of students’ unions’ compliance with their legal duties.

Students’ unions that are registered charities are regulated by the Charity Commission and are required to comply with charity law and fulfil their legal duties as trustees.

The department engages regularly with regulators and sector bodies on matters affecting higher education providers and students. In May, department officials met with representatives of the Charity Commission to discuss approaches to the regulation of students’ unions. The meeting provided an opportunity for both organisations to share information on their respective roles, powers and responsibilities.

The department and the Charity Commission will continue to engage, as appropriate, on matters relating to the regulation and oversight of students’ unions.