Commission ‘can’t help’ charity’s bank problem (From The Bolton News)

Commission ‘can’t help’ charity’s bank problem

10:50am Tuesday 30th December 2008

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THE Charity Commission says it cannot help a Bolton charity campaigning against its bank account being closed.

Ummah Welfare Trust (UWT) has been received a notice from Barclays Bank saying that its account will be closed in 30 days.

The Bolton-based charity, which carries out relief work across the world, held a protest outside the bank on Saturday.

A Charity Commission spokesman said: “This situation involving Ummah Welfare Trust and Barclays Bank is not one in which the Commission can become directly involved or seek to influence.

“We will be discussing the potential implications for UWT’s charitable work with its trustees and will provide them with any appropriate advice and guidance.

“The Commission recognises that charities often deliver essential services in areas where the need is greatest, and we appreciate there may be some concerns about how charitable work may be affected by this.”

Iqbal Rawat, a founder of UWT, said: “We have been talking to Barclays, but they say they are not going to reverse the decision. We are going to keep on campaigning against this while making contingency plans to move the money to other banks.”

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