The Act Commentary on Sections Section 70: Power of relevant Minister to give financial assistance to charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institutions
243.This section gives a “ relevant Minister” (ie a Secretary of State or the Minister for the Cabinet Office) an express statutory power to give financial assistance to organisations that are established for charitable, benevolent or philanthropic purposes. This power extends to funding only those activities which benefit the whole or any part of England. Government funding of similar organisations operating in Wales is devolved to the National Assembly for Wales (see section 71).
244.Under section 70 the Secretary of State or Minister for the Cabinet Office may give financial assistance in any form (subsection (2)). Such assistance may be given subject to terms and conditions (subsections (3) and (4)). The Secretary of State or Minister for the Cabinet Office may delegate his functions under this section (subsections (6) and (7)). He must report annually on any exercise of the power conferred by this section (subsections (8) and (9)).