Charity Commission chair Orlando Fraser has warned those involved in culture war debates that he will not allow the regulator to be “misused or weaponised” in their clashes.

He said this warning applies to politicians, the media “or indeed the sector itself”.

Instead, he says the regulator “will march consistently, and confidently, to the beat of another drum, namely the law”.

He adds that when the regulator does find itself “in contested territory” it will tackle such situations "in a way the seeks to promote respect, tolerance, and kindness”.

Fraser has issued the warning at an event in London to launch the Charity Commission’s five-year strategy.

This focuses on the regulator’s “ambition to be fair, balanced and independent”.

Another priority is to support charities’ financial resilience as they tackle the cost of living crisis and the long term impact of the Covid pandemic.

Embracing technology to improve its services is another aspiration over the next five years. This will include reviewing the data it collects and how it is used.

It also plans to introduce tailor made regulation for different types of charity.

“This will include introducing more precise and accurate classifications of the kinds of charity we regulate, for example the purpose they serve or where they are based," states the strategy.

“Over time, this grouping of charities will allow us to increasingly deliver regulation and advice to charities that is targeted rather than universal, and distributed only, and directly, to those whom we know need to hear about a particular risk.”

Frazer added: “Charities play a vital role within our society, supporting the most vulnerable, binding communities of place and interest, improving countless lives, in myriad ways.

“Their ability to do this rests on public trust and confidence, which in turn requires expert regulation.

“We have already publicly committed to be an expert regulator that is fair, balanced, and independent. This strategy embeds this commitment in a concrete fashion into the Commission’s future processes and procedures.

“Such a regulator is key to the thriving of charities in England and Wales, and I am confident that our new strategy will therefore strengthen our role as an expert, effective regulator.”

In a speech to charity leaders at the launch of our new five-year strategy, Orlando Fraser KC highlighted the Charity Commission’s ongoing commitment to independence.

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— Charity Commission (@ChtyCommission) February 26, 2024

Last week the NCVO’s Road Ahead report for 2024 warned charities to be prepared over the next 12 months for risks around politicians and media seeking “to engage in manufactured culture wars”. Such risks are set to step up ahead of the general election, warns the NCVO.

Charities to already be attacked by right wing politicians in such debates include the National Trust for addressing historic links of some of its properties to slavery and the RNLI for rescuing asylum seekers travelling across the English Channel.

NCVO chief executive Sarah Vibert says the new strategy gives charities “a chance to discuss how we build a stronger sector for the future”.

“We remain committed to working in partnership with Commission at every opportunity to create the best possible environment for charities, so every organisation, and the communities they support, can thrive,” she added.

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