Commenting on the Charity Commission’s release of a survey it commissioned from Ipsos MORI on the level of public trust in UK charities, Sir Stephen Bubb, Chief Executive of ACEVO said:
“It is to the credit of charity leaders, trustees and volunteers that the public still trust them highly. As a sector we must continue to demand of ourselves the highest standards of transparency and sound financial management.
“It’s important to recognise that charities are working in the most difficult operating environment for many years. New obstacles are being put in our way all the time. From continued delay on public service reform to the unwelcome regulations of the Lobbying Act, charities are not being given the support they need.
“This survey poses tough questions for the Charity Commission. They will have new powers and new energy at the top with the appointment of Paula Sussex as their Chief Executive. It will be her job to ensure that the Commission improves its performance, defends our sector’s integrity and avoids oppressive over-regulation. The Commission needs to pull its socks up and become the effective regulator and supporter that our sector needs – and that the public demands.”
ENDS
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Editors’ notes
1. ACEVO is the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, supporting, connecting and representing the leaders of 1,500 of the UK’s largest charities and social enterprises: www.acevo.org.uk
2. The Charity Commission’s research is summarised in their press release (attached to this release), and may also be accessed on their website from 00.01 on Thursday 26 June: www.charitycommission.gov.uk. Its key findings are that:
– Public trust and confidence in charities is resilient. Only the police (7.0/10) and doctors (7.6) are trusted more than charities
– People are now attaching greater importance to good financial management by charities
– Fewer people trust charities to work independently (62% in 2014 compared with 68% in 2010)
– The proportion of people who would be more confident in a charity providing a public service than another type of service provider has declined from 25% in 2012 to 20% in 2014
– A third of people (35%) say that they trust a particular charity or type of charity less because they do not know how they spend their money.
3. Sir Stephen wrote two blogs on this and related topics. See http://bloggerbubb.blogspot.co.uk
For further information contact george.bangham@acevo.org.uk or 07825894716
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