Law to target aggressive fundraising

Charities are to be forced to draw up written agreements showing how vulnerable people will be protected from aggressive fundraising tactics, the prime minister has said.

David Cameron said the actions of some fundraisers were damaging the reputation of the charity sector.

The changes will be introduced in amendments to the Charities Bill.

Fundraising methods have come under scrutiny since the death of poppy seller Olive Cooke, 92, in May.

An inquest revealed that Mrs Cooke of Bristol had at one point received 267 charity letters in one month, leading to suggestions that the hounding for money pushed her to take her own life.

However her family insisted the charities were not to blame.

The prime minister said: “Our charities undertake vital work, bringing communities together and providing support to some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

“But the conduct of some fundraisers used by them is frankly unacceptable and damages the reputation of the sector as a whole, which is why we’re introducing a new law to make sure charities raise funds in the right sort of way.”

Analysis

By political correspondent Ross Hawkins

The conduct of charity fundraisers is under scrutiny like never before following the death of Britain’s oldest poppy seller – 92-year-old Olive Cooke.

Thought to have taken her own life, she had been exhausted by requests for money from charities, according to a friend, and had set up 27 direct debits to make donations – although her granddaughter told an inquest that letters seeking money were not a factor in her death.

The issue, and an investigation into fundraisers’ call centres by the Mail on Sunday, has attracted the attention of ministers.

Now a new law will oblige charities and organisations that raise money on their behalf to state in their contracts how vulnerable people are to be protected and there will be a review to consider whether further action is needed. Fundraising bodies have already pledged to strengthen protections.

Under the new rules, charities with incomes over £1m will set out in their trustees’ annual report their fundraising approach, including the use of professional fundraising agencies, as well as steps to prevent inappropriate fundraising from vulnerable people.

The legislation would also require all professional fundraisers to set out in their agreements with charities what steps they are taking to protect vulnerable people from high-pressure tactics.

Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), is to conduct a review to decide whether more powers are required.