A new investigation by the Good Law Project reveals that almost £28 million has been funnelled from charity trusts and foundations into right-wing think tanks, many New research by the Good Law Project has found that almost £28 million in charitable donations went to right-wing think tanks around 55 Tufton Street over the last 20 years. These think tanks often influence political debate in the UK, especially on issues like tax, climate policy, and free-market economics.
Major Findings
- 48 trusts and foundations donated the money.
- 31 of these are linked to individuals who have given £35 million to the Conservative Party since 2001.
- 15 are family foundations connected to Tory peers or run by Tory peers, providing 46% of the total donations.
Some key recipients include:
- The Institute of Economic Affairs, promoting free-market ideas.
- The Global Warming Policy Foundation, known for climate scepticism.
- The Taxpayers’ Alliance, pushing for lower taxes.
Who’s Funding Them?
Major contributors named in the report include:
- Nigel Vinson Charitable Trust: £7.85 million.
- Institute for Policy Research: £7.08 million.
- Politics and Economics Research Trust: £2.81 million.
- Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust: £2.46 million.
Lord Nigel Vinson, a former Conservative peer, has donated to the climate-sceptic GWPF. The Institute for Policy Research, founded by the Thatcherite Centre for Policy Studies, has distributed millions to other right-leaning groups.
Why It Matters
These charities benefit from significant tax relief, giving them a financial edge. For every £100 donated, the receiving organisations can collect up to £182 after tax breaks. According to the Good Law Project’s report, this setup offers donors:
- Anonymity: They can remain hidden behind charity structures.
- Tax Advantages: They effectively give more with the same amount of money.
Investigative journalist Peter Geoghegan said the charities “act as fronts to funnel money” into Tufton Street. He believes their aim is to “add another layer of opacity between donors, their money, and the causes they support.”
Response and Next Steps
The revelation has reignited calls for greater transparency around political funding. Critics argue that if these think tanks drive public debate and policy, the public should know exactly who’s paying for their work. Meanwhile, the Good Law Project says it will continue to investigate the financial ties behind these “charitable” donations.
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