Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to require universities with charitable status to (a) register with the Charity Commission and (b) file a serious incident report in the event that an adverse event, actual or alleged, occurs.

Most universities in England are exempt charities, which means they are exempt from registration with, and direct regulation by, the Charity Commission.

Exempt charities have a principal regulator appointed, whose duties include promoting compliance with charity law.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the higher education regulator in England, and in accordance with charity law, is the principal regulator for higher education exempt charities in England.

Universities registered with the OfS are subject to ongoing conditions of registration. The OfS may investigate any adverse event, actual or alleged, where a breach of these conditions may have occurred, and take action as necessary, in accordance with its role as the regulator of higher education, and principal regulator of higher education exempt charities of England.

This can include engaging with the Charity Commission on the possible use of its powers under charity law.