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Charity law updated

The Charities Act 2006 has been implemented, updating charities law and giving charities greater flexibility. Minister for the Third Sector Phil Hope has made the third commencement order of the Charities Act 2006, with the changes coming in immediately.

According to Mr Hope, these changes will help charities tackle "the pressing social and environmental issues of the day" and will mean "better, more proportionate regulation for charities".

The Charity Commission is now able to better control charities' membership of the commission, allowing it to suspend or remove membership.

Charities are now allowed to pay trustees for goods and services, something which was previously restricted. So an electrician would be allowed to re-wire a charitie's building at cost price.

The Charity Commission will also be able to protect charities from the misconduct of its trustees by directing the actions of a charity or the individuals running it.

There will also be improved flexibility for charities, enabling them to change their purpose along with changing demands.

Charities will be able to appeal against decisions made by the Charity Commission in a new charity tribunal, avoiding the expense of going to the High Court.

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