Guidance for Scottish Charities on Campaigning About Political Issues
Summary
OSCR published guidance on 8 April 2026 clarifying that Scottish charities may campaign on political issues during the 7 May 2026 Scottish Parliamentary election, provided such campaigning is consistent with their charitable purposes and complies with charity and electoral law. The guidance explains that charities cannot have supporting a political party as their purpose, but may engage with politicians, lobby MSPs, or organise petitions where this advances their charitable aims. Charity trustees must act in the interests of their charity and consider reputational implications of any campaigning activity.
“Scottish charities can campaign on political issues to advance their charitable purposes, including during election periods, as long as the requirements of charity law and, where necessary, electoral law are met.”
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GovPing monitors UK Charity Commission News Scot for new courts & legal regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 3 changes logged to date.
What changed
OSCR published guidance for Scottish charities on campaigning about political issues, timed to coincide with the Scottish Parliamentary election on 7 May 2026. The guidance confirms that charities may not have supporting a political party as their purpose, but may campaign on political issues where this is consistent with their charitable purposes. The document includes FAQs covering engagement with politicians and parties, participation in joint campaigns, and compliance with electoral and charity law. The guidance is informational in nature and does not create new legal obligations. Charity trustees are reminded to act in the interests of their charity and consider reputational impacts of any campaigning activities.
Archived snapshot
Apr 22, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
More information to appear on the Scottish Charity Register from 9 March 2026, including charity trustee names and accounts documents. Click here for more details.
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08 Apr 2026 News
Guidance for Scottish charities on campaigning about political issues
The Scottish Parliamentary election will be held on 7 May 2026, and it is important that charities are clear about their responsibilities when campaigning on political issues. We have guidance available on our website about charities and campaigning on political issues.
The guidance takes the form of frequently asked questions, and includes helpful information about relevant topics including:
- how can charities engage with political parties and politicians?
- can charities take part in joint or local political campaigns?
- what do charities in Scotland need to do to comply with electoral and charity law?
What does Scottish charity law say about campaigning on political issues?
It cannot be the purpose of a charity to support a political party. However, charities may campaign on political issues where it is consistent with their charitable purposes.
Scottish charities can campaign on political issues to advance their charitable purposes, including during election periods, as long as the requirements of charity law and, where necessary, electoral law are met.
For example, a charity whose purpose is to provide sports training for young people may want to lead or get involved in a campaign to save the local sports centre which has been threatened with closure. This may involve engaging with local politicians, lobbying members of the Scottish Parliament or organising a petition.
Charity trustees must always act in the interests of the charity, including being mindful of how campaigning might affect the reputation of their charity.
Read the full guidance here: Charities and campaigning on political issues.
More OSCR News:
16 Apr 2026 News ### Employment law changes: What do charities need to be aware of? 08 Apr 2026 News ### Guidance for Scottish charities on campaigning about political issues 25 Mar 2026 News ### Video – Getting your accounts right: A guide for smaller charities 17 Mar 2026 News ### Webinar: Ask OSCR with ICO 03 Mar 2026 News ### OSCR website unavailable on 9 March 2026 26 Feb 2026 News ### Ellie Craig appointed as member of the Board of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) 25 Feb 2026 News ### Video - Charity law in transition: Key legislative changes and what they mean for you 19 Feb 2026 News ### More information to appear on the Scottish Charity Register from 9 March 2026 18 Feb 2026 News ### Charity banking: your chance to have your say 05 Feb 2026 Event ### Webinar – Getting your charity accounts right: A guide for smaller charities
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