NEWS: OSCR has issued updated guidance for charities campaigning on political issues
7 April 2021
In advance of the Scottish Parliament elections on the 6th of May, OSCR have provided updated guidance on charities campaigning activities. We are currently in the Regulated Period where the Electoral Commission will be regulating any spending on political campaigns and activities. The Electoral Commission rules on campaigning have been modified since OSCR last released guidance, for example, all election material now requires an ‘imprint’ where previously it was only physical election material.
Under Scottish charity law, your charity can campaign if:
- it is advancing your charitable purposes
- your governing document does not prevent the activity
- you are not advancing a political party and,
- you can show you are acting in the charity’s best interests.
When considering whether you are acting in a charity’s best interests, this should include the reputational implications of your actions.
While there are restrictions on what campaigning activities a charity can undertake, it is important to note that political campaigning in principle is not forbidden. In fact, political campaigning on particular issues can be an important way for charities to achieve their charitable purposes.
Read the full article from OSCR's website below:
