he House of Lords Select Committee on Charities has extended its deadline to submit written evidence and released some details of what it has received so far. 

The committee will now accept submissions until the end of the month. So far it has received 158 responses. 

More than 100 responses have come from charities, while it has also received 18 submissions from individuals and 29 from other organisations. It has produced an infographic highlighting responses so far.
The committee is considering:

• the main pressures currently faced by charities, and the impact these pressures have
• the skills required to lead and manage a charity
• the role trustees should play in the performance and effectiveness of a charity
• the role of national and local government with the charitable sector
• the role of the Charity Commission
• charities' accountability to their beneficiaries, their donors, and the general public
• the effective delivery of services
• the current challenges to the financial sustainability of charities
• innovation, particularly in the digital arena

The committee’s next oral evidence session is 11 October. The committee has not said who is giving evidence. It is due to report in spring 2017.

Wilson: 'I'm willing to give evidence'

In July peers criticised Rob Wilson, the minister for civil society, who cancelled an appearance before the committee.
At the time Wilson was involved in the ministerial reshuffle, and it was unclear which department the Office for Civil Society would be in. 

Wilson has told Civil Society News that his team is co-operating with the committee and has provided the committee with lots of information. He said:“I am willing to go before committee whenever they call me.” 

A full interview with the minister will be published shortly.