Charity Commission prepares to urge charities to prepare to comply with FWS II

[MyAmpleSheep]

The Charity Commission has issued a press release about forthcoming guidance for charities based on the Code of Practice from the EHRC:

www.gov.uk/government/news/charities-urged-to-prepare-for-compliance-with-ehrc-code-of-practice

It propagating the idea that the CoP is legally enforceable and brings new obligations, and is an intellectually incoherent mishmash of references to the EHRC and FWS. But at least the CC isn’t washing its hands of the matter, and it does refer directly to the FWS judgment.

Until I see actual rules and implementation, I'm not holding my breath. Issuing a press release, what's the fucking point? Just tell charities to get on with it, they've had a full year+ to get their own specialist legal advice if their vacuous little heads couldn't understand what FWS meant before then.

(not having a pop at you @MyAmpleSheep, I just get so irritated with all this distancing and delaying language)

Probably a reaction to this:

https://sex-matters.org/posts/updates/the-charity-commission-must-act/

Yes it looks like it is.

Ofdicial guidance from the CC coming “in the autumn”, according to the CC’s release. Something to look forward to, perhaps.

I'm sure Sex Matters could help them get guidance out next week!

That's a brilliant letter. Long overdue that the charity sector was called out for its persistent anti-women, homophobic behaviour and the letter nails it accurately.

This is why I'm happy to donate to Sex Matters. They actually get stuff done. And unlike the GLP, they understand the law. Well, the GLP do understand the law I'm sure, but they pretend not to so that they can keep raking in donations for their fruitless challenges.

That seems to be a little bit of progress. A "Press Release" is a pretty pathetic means of publishing it though. They need to communicate more emphatically that charities do not have a choice about opting in or opting out of the law and that if they want to offer a mixed-sex service they need to be clear that that is what they do, not pretending to be single sex whilst actually not being. However, it's a welcome step to just say it at all, even if it is in quite a quiet way.

I think the final paragraph of the CC's statement says it all. Sort yourselves out or be prepared to be sued.

"Charities do not need to wait for the Commission’s guidance to comply with the Act and the Code. It is the responsibility of trustees to ensure their charity is compliant with the Code, once it is legally enforceable, and unreasonable delays in taking steps towards compliance may be considered a breach of those responsibilities".

How charities may take positive action...

Is probably what they want to focus on.

Jolyon is going after them again

https://action.goodlawproject.org/sex-matters-complaint