Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Blogpost row: Barnardo’s did not breach law, rules charities regulator

UK's charities regulator has ruled that children's charity Barnardo’s did not breach laws when it published a blogpost on its website discussing racial inequality and white privilege, The Guardian reported.

The Charity Commission, which regulates charities in England and Wales, rejected a complaint made in December by the backbench Common Sense Group of Tory MPs and peers, the report added.


The group had argued that the blog was “ideological dogma” that put Barnardo’s in breach of its charitable purposes.

Barnardo’s had acted reasonably and within the law, and that the post was in line with the charity’s mission, the commission told The Guardian.

“We examined concerns raised with us about a blog published by the charity on ‘white privilege’. Our role was to consider whether the trustees acted reasonably in line with their legal duties in making the decision to publish the blog," a statement by the commission said.

“The trustees provided a reasoned response as to how the blog furthered the charity’s objects and were able to show that consideration had been given to how the blog would meet the charity’s purposes prior to its publication.”

In March, the watchdog cleared the National Trust after Tory MPs, supported by some media outlets, accused it of promoting “Marxist” views after it published a report showing how some of its country houses were built and furnished with the proceeds of slavery.

In April, MPs from the group demanded an inquiry into the race equality charity the Runnymede Trust, claiming that its criticism of the Sewell report into racial equality reflected a “political agenda”.

The commission is still considering whether to open a compliance case against the trust, the newspaper report said.

Barnardo’s post, which remains on the charity’s website, offers parents tips on how to discuss “white privilege” with their children. It explains that the charity’s white service users faced “inequality and disadvantage” on a daily basis, but those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds face additional challenges due to their skin colour.

The 12 Tory MPs claimed the term “white privilege” did “great damage to the cause of the poor and marginalised”.

“As the UK’s largest children’s charity, we believe we have a legitimate role to play in encouraging an informed approach to difficult conversations about complex issues, including racism. We have always spoken out on the challenges affecting the children we serve and must continue to do so – whether on poverty, mental health, abuse, and exploitation – or on the realities of prejudice and discrimination," Barnardo’s said.

“We have also listened closely to those who raised concerns with the commission, and are keen to have an ongoing dialogue about how we can work together to continue improving outcomes for all vulnerable children across the UK.”

Sue Tibballs, chief executive of the campaigning charity the Sheila McKechnie Foundation, told The Guardian that the case reflected a trend of increased hostility from politicians toward charities.

More For You

Bhim Kohli Murder Trial: Teenager's Admission of Guilt Revealed to Jury
The attack took place on 1 September last year in Franklin Park, Braunstone Town, Leicestershire. (Photo credit: Facebook)

Bhim Kohli murder: Teenager on trial said ‘I did it’, jury told

A 15-YEAR-OLD boy accused of killing an 80-year-old man in a Leicester park told police, “I had my reasons, but I did it,” a court heard.

The boy is charged with murdering Bhim Kohli at Franklin Park, Braunstone Town, in September last year. A 13-year-old girl, also on trial, is accused of manslaughter. Both were 14 and 12 at the time and cannot be named due to their ages.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mark-Carney-Reuters

Carney said he would stand up for Canada’s way of life and push back against American actions affecting trade. (Photo: Reuters)

Mark Carney vows to fight US trade war as Canada's next prime minister

MARK CARNEY, Canada's incoming prime minister, has pledged to take on the United States in an escalating trade dispute, vowing to defend the country’s interests against US president Donald Trump’s policies.

Speaking to supporters in Ottawa after being elected leader of the Liberal Party, Carney said he would stand up for Canada’s way of life and push back against American actions affecting trade.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk fog

Temperatures are set to drop across the country. (Representational image: Getty)

Met Office issues yellow warning for fog in north England

THE MET OFFICE has issued a yellow weather warning for fog across parts of the North East and Yorkshire, including Durham, Newcastle, and York.

The warning is in effect for over 10 hours, from 10:40 pm on Sunday until 9:00 pm on Monday.

Keep ReadingShow less
International Yoga Festival 2025 kicks off with Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan

The Honourable Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami graced the inaugural event

Parmarth Niketan

International Yoga Festival 2025 kicks off with Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan

The International Yoga Festival 2025 commenced on Sunday (9) at Parmarth Niketan with a sacred Ganga Aarti ceremony on the banks of the holy Ganges. Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the event, which also featured soulful kirtan performances and inspiring talks by spiritual leaders.

Inaugration Ceremony of International Yoga Day 2025Parmarth Niketan

Keep ReadingShow less
India under pressure as Trump claims victory in tariff dispute
Modi shakes hands with Trump before a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 25, 2020. (Photo: Getty Images)

India under pressure as Trump claims victory in tariff dispute

INDIA's government faces mounting questions after US president Donald Trump claimed the country has agreed to "cut tariffs way down" ahead of his 2 April deadline for imposing reciprocal tariffs on trading partners.

The controversy erupted after Trump's remarks from the Oval Office, where he accused India of charging "massive tariffs" that make it "almost restrictive" to sell American goods in the country.

Keep ReadingShow less