Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress her Department has made on considering the proposal for Charitable Community Benefit Societies to cease being exempt charities and to allow them to (a) register with the Charities Commission and (b) access new funding opportunities in the current challenging financial context.

The government is keen to ensure that the law governing co-operatives and community benefit societies is clear and supports their growth. That is why we are funding the Law Commission’s independent review of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014.

The Law Commission review is considering ways to update and modernise the legislation for co-operatives and community benefit societies - including charitable community benefit societies - ensuring that it fits the nature and needs of these societies as well as ensuring that regulation is proportionate and effective.

During consultation, the Law Commission asked a question exploring whether charitable community benefit societies should continue to be exempt charities. It is currently considering feedback from stakeholders on this and other proposals.

The Law Commission expects to publish its final recommendations towards the end of 2025. The government will then carefully consider its recommendations to understand whether reform of the legislation is needed to ensure these businesses are supported to grow and succeed into the future.