Regulator criticises 3% of charities that have failed to pay the fundraising levy

The Fundraising Regulator has criticised the ‘small minority’ of charities that have failed to pay its levy, which was overhauled last year.

It said that 3% of charities and other fundraising organisations who are eligible to pay “have either refused to do so or have not responded to our requests”.

“It’s disappointing that a small minority of charities do not recognise their collective responsibility to fund the independent regulation of fundraising,” said the regulator.

“It’s also unfair to those charities that do pay and thus play their part in maintaining and promoting public trust and confidence in charitable fundraising.”

Eligible charities who have not paid have been marked “red” on the regulator’s online directory.

Their details will also be shared with the Charity Commission “so that they are aware of the organisations that have refused to support the system of regulation that so many charities and members of the public benefit from”.

Charities which had not paid the levy as of 3 February included Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust Charities, the Royal Television Society, the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund and English National Opera.

Also on the list was the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, but it has since paid the levy.

A spokeswoman explained: "In previous years, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women has paid the levy. This invoice from the Fundraising Regulator unfortunately came through to someone who no longer works for the organisation and so our lack of payment was an oversight. We have now paid the levy."

From last year the regulator has introduced an increased levy, which is being phased in over two years. As part of the overhaul larger charities with the highest fundraising spend will see the largest increase in payments.

Next year it will increase in line with inflation.

It added: “We are pleased to report that we’ve collected approximately 97% of all levy income since the first phase of increases were introduced last September.

“This is broadly in line with the recovery rate for the past five years, demonstrating that most charities understand the value of, and remain committed to, the current system of voluntary regulation.

“We would like to thank all the organisations that have responded so positively to the changes, despite the difficult economic headwinds that many are facing.”