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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent steps he has taken to ensure that charities have access to clear advice on the effect of the provisions of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014.

The changes made to the existing third party campaigning rules by the Transparency of Lobbying Act 2014 do not restrict charities’ freedom to campaign to further their charitable purposes in a non-partisan way, but instead make the political system more accountable. Charities can legitimately undertake a wide range of campaigning activities as part of their work.

The Electoral Commission provides clear guidance for charities that may be considering campaigning in the run up to an election. Where there is significant spending on campaigning that could influence the election, the rules ensure that this is transparent.