We want to have faith in our charity system and our charity regulator. 

We want a review of the Charity Commission a review that looks closely at its methods and all its activities.

We want the role of supporting charities separated from the investigatory and regulatory role. For example it is not the role of the police who investigate complaints and crimes to hand hold and support those who are accused of wrongdoing.  It is their role to investigate thoroughly and then hand their investigatory file to the appropriate dept (the CPS) for further action.

We want a review of charitable status how it is granted and its purpose. 

Small charities that give all their money to good causes and who are set up purely for the public benefit have the same charity status as huge businesses granted charitable status. Businesses that  give only a small amount for public benefit and the rest on large salaries etc (the postcode lottery ) 

We want annual reports and annual finances to be honest and truthful no matter what the size of the charity is. 

It should be easy for a member of the public to access information about a charity and know that information is true. It should be easy to see how a charity has spent the money it has been given and know exactly how much of its raised income has been spent on its charitable purpose. It should be easy to see what has been spent on wages, publicity etc it is up to the charity to explain how this expenditure has gone towards its charitable aims, not hide it.

We want to be able to see and to know that the money we give is used for the purposes that we give it.

We want partnership agreements to be mandatory not just a “should” 

When a charity works with a partner or enters into a funding contract with a partner then there should be an agreement outlining this. This safeguards the money and the expectations of both sides. The agreements should be filed with the charities annual reports each year and be available for public scrutiny.

Specifically for charities working overseas

We want an assurance that as a minimum charities working overseas are signed up to standards of ethical and legal behaviour. Standards that if not met can be challenged and regulated by the CC.

We want to know that the money donated for charity work overseas is sent overseas and is used for the purposes it is donated.

We want to be sure that our money is not being used to bully, abuse and cause harm in developing countries. 

We want real support and guidance for charities working overseas that ensures they understand their ethical and legal responsibilities. 

We want charities who are working overseas to report information clearly in their financial reports, showing the money they have raised for overseas work and the money they have actually sent overseas.

We want all charities working overseas and receiving public donations to file an annual report regardless of size or income stating that they are signed up to a set of standards and how their charity meets them.