Evangelical Alliance Reassures Churches Over New Charity Rules

The Evangelical Alliance UK has reassured churches and religious charities in the UK that they have nothing to fear following the publication of new Charity Commission guidance which requires every charity to show it is for public benefit.

The alliance, which has a membership of more than 3,000 churches and charities, has worked closely with the Charity Commission in the lead-up to the publication of its consultation and draft guidance relating to the principles of public benefit.

The Charities Act 2006 requires for the first time that all new and existing charities - including charities for the advancement of religion - demonstrate that they provide clear public benefit, putting an end to qualification based on presumption.

Don Horrocks, the Evangelical Alliance's Head of Public Affairs, said: "While there is certainly a new challenge involved for churches and religious charities, it is a challenge that should be welcomed.

"There should be nothing to fear from the switch away from presumption of public benefit for religion to a requirement to demonstrate it.

"After all, if it cannot be shown that religious groups are benefiting the public it is reasonable to question why they should receive public tax concessions."

He said the alliance had been assured that the burden of proof will not be onerous, as there is ready acceptance that religion generally contributes to social and spiritual wellbeing.

Churches and other bodies have also been assured that they will not be forced to undertake community activities (though many already do), and that religious activities open to the public will be deemed to confer public benefit. Mission and evangelistic organisations can also expect to qualify without difficulty.

David Jones, Chief Executive of the Evangelical Alliance member organisation Stewardship, said: "Religious charities can be reassured that the propagation and teaching of faith principles will continue to be regarded as beneficial, provided it is open to and directed towards the public as a whole.

"We now have an excellent opportunity to put our case to the Charity Commission by responding to its consultation, although together with the Alliance we have been working closely with them to ensure that in its first draft form the guidance appears in a broadly acceptable format.

"We shall be responding to the consultation and would urge all religious charitable bodies to do the same."