Closure of high street services in rural areas
There will be a Westminster Hall debate on the closure of high street services in rural areas on Wednesday 5th February at 9:30am.

This paper provides information about the Bill and background to it, and about debate on the Bill in the House of Lords
Commons Library analysis: Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Bill [HL]: in detail (1 MB , PDF)
The Charity Commission’s powers and its role in regulating charities have come under increased scrutiny with some high profile cases and the publication of a number of recent reports. There has been particular criticism of the compliance and enforcement work of the Charity Commission, including its perceived reluctance to use the powers available, its perceived lack of focus on dealing with serious wrongdoing, and its use of its reduced resources.
The previous Government and the Charity Commission have pointed to the recent increase in the Commission’s use of its compliance and enforcement powers, but both agree that strengthened powers are needed. In January 2015, the National Audit Office found that the Charity Commission had made good, early progress in addressing concerns although significant challenges remained.
Concerns have also been raised about some methods of fundraising. A review of the self‑regulation of charity fundraising led by Sir Stuart Etherington recommended a new approach. The report of this review was published after third reading of the Bill in the House of Lords.
The Law Commission is examining selected technical issues in charity law. It consulted separately on social investment by charities, following which it recommended to the Government that there should be a new statutory power for charities to invest in this way.
In December 2013, the previous Government published a consultation paper which included proposals for change, requested by the Charity Commission, to extend the Commission’s powers to tackle abuse in charities.
In October 2014, the previous Government published the draft Protection of Charities Bill. The draft Bill included provisions dealing with ten of the original seventeen consultation proposals, some of which had been modified. The Bill was scrutinised by a Joint Committee of the two Houses of Parliament. The Committee made a number of recommendations, many of which the Government accepted.
The Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Bill [HL] had its first reading in the House of Commons on 15 September 2015 as Bill 69 of 2015-16, having completed its passage through the House of Lords.
The Government’s Explanatory Notes published with the Bill provide the following overview:
The Bill would amend other legislation, including the Charities Act 2011, and includes powers requested by the Charity Commission.
A separate Library Briefing Paper, Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Bill [HL]: in brief (Number 07344, 22 October 2015) provides a summary of the information considered in detail in this paper.
This Bill has been certified by the Speaker as relating exclusively to England and Wales, so the ‘English votes for English laws’ procedure will apply to it. The procedure is outlined in section 1 of CBP 7339 English votes for English laws.
Commons Library analysis: Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Bill [HL]: in detail (1 MB , PDF)
There will be a Westminster Hall debate on the closure of high street services in rural areas on Wednesday 5th February at 9:30am.
Constituents may approach their MP stating that the holder of an honour should have this removed, due to their conduct. An MP can't arrange this, but can explain the process and perhaps support a campaign. A further Casework Article covers the process of nomination and award of honours.
Constituents may write to their MP requesting that someone be nominated or asking for support for a nomination. An MP may make a nomination, as with any member of the public. The MP would have to be familiar with the work or voluntary role the candidate is carrying out.