The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BB.
Better regulation
We work with colleagues in the voluntary sector, in government and across parliament, and with other decision-makers, to understand what legal and regulatory changes mean for different parts of the sector and to ensure that the impacts of regulation on the sector help shape decision-making.
Current areas of focus
We have a particular focus on the future review of charity regulation and the implementation of the Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Act 2023, alongside the potential extension to freedom of information and issues relating to auditing. We are also engaged in important work on the Lobbying Act and removing the various barriers that voluntary organisations face when banking.
Contact the team
Kyrstie Brown
Lobbying Act, Access to banking
Jason Henderson
Review of charity regulation, Charities Bill 2023, Procurement Frameworks
David Livey
Freedom of Information
Related news & opinion
The latest better regulation news and blogs.
Related briefings & policy papers
The latest better regulation briefings and policy papers from the policy team.
Latest consultation responses
The latest better regulation consultation responses from the policy team.
Progress & latest developments
The work of our subgroup is varied and extensive, often covering numerous areas, involving large pieces of work, and requiring the addition of new priorities as we respond to the changing regulatory environment. We consistently work in collaboration with members and partners both in Scotland and UK-wide to ensure that we are best placed to represent the voluntary sector in all regulation-related areas. If you want to share your views on any piece of work we are currently engaged with, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
- We’re currently engaging with the Scottish Government and OSCR on the implementation of the Charities Act 2023.
- We’ll be assisting with the Scottish Government’s Third Sector Unit (TSU) event at this year’s Gathering to discuss the initial stages of a wider review of charity regulation.
- We’re engaging across the Scottish Parliament on both the Scottish Government’s consideration of FoI reforms, and the forthcoming consultation response analysis in relation to Katy Clark MSP’s Private Members Bill.
- We’re meeting fortnightly with partners across the UK to further our access to banking work with UK Finance.
Perfect storm could see voluntary groups shut - SCVO's Paul Bradley highlights the data from our Third Sector tracker and the worrying picture it paints for Scotland's voluntary sector in the coming months
Get involved
Collaborate with us and our members to develop and promote voluntary sector policy perspectives for Scotland