​Memorandum of understanding between regulators

Fundraising regulators in England and Scotland have reached an agreement which will ensure complaints from the public are dealt with consistently cross-border.

The Fundraising Regulator, which deals with charities operating in England and Wales as well as those on a UK level, has signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Scottish Fundraising Standards Panel, which adjudicates on complaints against charities registered in Scotland.

It outlines how the two organisations will collaborate on areas of mutual interest, including operation of a lead regulator model on complaints, representation on their respective governance structures and information sharing.

Alison Elliot, chair of the Scottish Fundraising Standards Panel, said: “We’re looking forward to having a strong working relationship between the Fundraising Regulator and the panel, based on this MOU.

“Together we hope to ensure that, across the UK, charities can be confident about how to raise funds and donors can be comfortable about giving, so that everyone benefits from the huge contribution that charities make to society.”

Stephen Dunmore, chief executive of the Fundraising Regulator, added: “This MOU builds on the close working relationship we have developed with our regulatory colleagues in Scotland. It aims to ensure that whether north or south of the border, the public experiences a consistent approach in how complaints are dealt with, while ensuring that national differences are identified and addressed in the Code of Fundraising Practice as they arise.”

This agreement is the fifth signed by the Fundraising Regulator in the last year.

Previous agreements have been signed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the Information Commissioner’s Office, the Institute of Fundraising and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.