Home Office minister Fiona Mactaggart

Bogus charity fundraisers could face a crackdown by the government.

New regulations for charity collections were released by ministers as part of a new consultation launched by the government on Tuesday.

Concerns have been raised at the increasing level of bogus street fundraisers who are conning unsuspecting members of the public.

Under the proposals, the standard of information required from organisers of charitable collections will be improved, and existing legislation would be updated to make it easier for local authorities to implement.

It is also suggested that collectors would have to be licensed in a bid to reduce the number of bogus appeals.

House-to-house collections would face the same rules as street collections, while steps would be taken to prevent licensing authorities from applying regulations in a different way in various areas of England and Wales.

The consultation will continue until December 2, 2003.

"Many thousands of charities in Britain are active on a huge range of issues, helping to transform people's lives and to revive communities," said Home Office minister, Fiona Mactaggart.

"The charitable and not-for-profit sector in this country is one of our greatest assets. Public trust and confidence is vital to its continued success, and its success is essential for the health of our democracy.

"It is through charities and voluntary organisations that many people contribute to progress and change.

"We need fair, transparent regulation which facilitates responsible fundraising, but deters bogus collectors and prevents nuisance to the public. This will help protect the good name of the voluntary and community sector.

"I am confident that we will devise a workable scheme to maintain and even improve the level of trust and confidence which people feel in our charitable sector."