Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has welcomed a review into the practices of fundraisers following several high-profile cases where elderly residents have been aggressively pursued and harassed by charities.
The report sets out several recommendations including banning charities from certain forms of fundraising, such as cold-calling or mailshots if they break new stricter rules which could hit the sector. The report also recommends that the main fundraising regulator should be scrapped.
The UK Government commissioned review also recommended the creation of a new register to allow people to opt out of all charity contact.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“It is good to see that UK Government has taken swift action to investigate recent cases which have shown charities to be targeting elderly and vulnerable residents.
“This review makes it clear that the current industry regulator is not strong enough and that a new regulator is needed to enforce stricter conditions on charities that are breeching their code of conduct.
“Harassed residents in Perth and Kinross, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire will welcome the findings of this review which will hopefully fire the starting gun on a new more transparent era for charity fundraising.”