The National Council for Voluntary Organisation (NCVO) has warned the Charity Commission against softening its upcoming guidance on public benefit.

The call was made in response to the Charity Commission’s consultation on a new public benefit requirement for charities due to come into effect next year.

NCVO said that charities must be required to avoid charging high fees for services to prevent the exclusion of people on low incomes.

It added that the Charity Commission should stand by its intention to take charities’ fees into account when assessing the extent of their public benefit.

NCVO’s chief executive Stuart Etherington said: "It is essential that people understand why charities are special and why they deserve the benefits they receive, including public support.

"Only by having a robust and meaningful public benefit test can we ensure that people will continue to have trust and confidence in charity in the long term," he added.

NCVO has a growing membership of over 5,000 voluntary organisations, ranging from large national bodies to community groups.