Charities Act 2006 (Changes in Exempt Charities) Order 2010

My Lords, I declare two interests: first, I am chair of the Third Sector Advisory Body, and someone who has spent most of her working life working in or with the charitable sector. Secondly, I am chair of the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence. Wearing both these hats, I support the proposals made by the Government in these instruments. At the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence and with the regulatory bodies which regulate the health professions, we always refer to regulation being done with the "right" touch, not a "light" touch, although the right touch often is a light one. Overall we try to apply the following test to regulations. Are they focused on the protection of patients and the public? Are they concerned with their safety? That is the prime reason for their existence. Is regulation fair? It must be seen to be fair or it will be resisted. Is it proportionate? It must not be heavy-handed or overburdensome. Is it transparent? It needs to be open in its operation and structures, and consultation plays a very important role in that. Is it agile and flexible? Can it adapt to changing circumstances? Finally, is it good value? We must be aware of pressures on the public purse, especially at times like these. I feel that the proposals before us tonight for regulating the exempt charities meet these criteria. Moreover, the proposals were widely consulted on and approved by most of those affected, although of course, that consultation took place some time ago. I should emphasise that if any discrepancy or bad practice is found, the regulators will have the power to refer to the Charity Commission, as my noble friend has told us, which will take the matter up. I remind your Lordships that regulators liaise on matters affecting their client groups. They share best practice to ensure that there is no duplication. Such co-operation does not depend on legislation or on statutory instruments, but on the common-sense approach taken by regulators who know very well that the last thing we need is to have any activity regulated twice over if we are to avoid the bureaucracy which has concerned so many of us. Far from their sidelining the Charity Commission, it seems to me that these are sensible proposals, accepted by the Charity Commission. It is the beneficiaries—the public who use the institutions—whom we should have in mind. In my view, the proposals meet their needs.