The charity lists its activities as providing financial support to help relieve sickness and poverty.

The MB Foundation was previously part of the Commission’s ‘double defaulters’ class inquiry for failing to submit annual accounts for the financial years ending 31 March 2014 and 31 March 2015. Subsequent scrutiny of the accounts and information received from the trustees raised several concerns about the charity’s governance, in particular, the trustees’ handling of conflicts of interest.

The charity, whose trustees are all brothers, carried out several transactions with companies and individuals directly connected to the trustees or the trustees’ family members. This included a total of four loans to a connected company totalling over £1.7M.

The trustees have so far failed to provide the Commission with any formal documentation in relation to these loans. Furthermore, the trustees did not provide information to demonstrate they had adequately identified or managed conflicts of interest.

The inquiry will focus on:

• the trustees’ decision-making; particularly regarding loans and investments
• whether the trustees have adequately managed potential conflicts of interests
• if there has been any unauthorised or indirect private benefit
• whether the charity has suffered any financial loss as a result of any mismanagement/misconduct
• whether trustees have fulfilled their duties and responsibilities under charity law

The Commission may extend the scope of the inquiry if additional regulatory issues emerge. The opening of an inquiry is not a finding of wrongdoing.

It is the Commission’s policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing what issues the inquiry looked at, what actions were undertaken as part of the inquiry and what the outcomes were. Reports of previous inquiries are available on GOV.UK.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its purpose is to ensure charity can thrive and inspire trust so that people can improve lives and strengthen society.

The UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) programme has today announced that five innovative climate projects in Malaysia valued at £1.4 million are being funded through the Malaysia-UK PACT programme.

UK PACT is a £70 million flagship programme that is part of the UK’s £11.6 billion commitment to International Climate Finance by 2026 to tackle climate change and is funded by the UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Through its grants, UK PACT aims to improve the capacity and capability of key public, private and civil society institutions to reduce emissions and foster inclusive economic growth in partner countries, including Malaysia.

All five projects were chosen through an open, competitive call for proposals, receiving between £100,000 and £350,000 each. These capacity-building projects will promote low-carbon and nature preservation initiatives in Malaysia while supporting the improvement of livelihoods of marginalised communities. The organisations implementing the projects and their partners will support and work with key public sector beneficiaries at national, state and local levels to build capacity in key priority areas, including:

• green finance: to leverage Malaysia’s leadership position to incentivise and remove barriers for green finance through improved disclosure, increased transparency and data-driven decision making through considerations of climate and environmental risk disclosure

• energy: to enhance Malaysia’s energy transition pathways through initiatives for community renewable energy access and generation

• nature: to develop enabling conditions for nature-based carbon finance to conserve forests and biodiversity

• low carbon planning: to support the integration of carbon emissions reduction and monitoring in planning land use in cities and the green economy

British High Commissioner to Malaysia His Excellency Charles Hay MVO, said:

Malaysia is one of the most eco-diverse countries in the world. We want to support Malaysia’s transition to a low carbon economy and reduction of emissions in line with the Paris Agreement, and to preserve natural resources for future generations. Through UK PACT, we look forward to working with Malaysia to help develop capabilities in the areas of green finance, energy, nature and low carbon planning, in line with Malaysia’s Nationally Determined Contribution.

The United Kingdom will be hosting the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November 2021. The project portfolio is well placed to support a green, clean and resilient recovery in Malaysia and support the aims of COP26 to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on climate change.

Stakeholders are being encouraged to have their say as part of a review of the Traffic Commissioner function launched by the government today (11 August 2021).

The 8 Traffic Commissioners (TCs) have responsibility in their region or county for the licensing and regulation of those who operate heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches, and the registration of local bus services. They are assisted in this work by 11 deputy TCs, who preside over a number of public inquiries.

The review will consider whether the current role, delivery model, governance and funding arrangements are fit for the future, as well as current issues faced by the TC function, such as the impact of the pandemic and increased workload.

An online consultation launched today will enable anyone with an interest, such as industry, local authorities, trade organisations and passenger groups, to shape the future role of TCs.

Transport Minister Baroness Vere said:

Traffic Commissioners play a key role in road safety, including helping ensure that people who operate HGVs and coaches are reputable, that there is fair competition between operators and that public inquiry proceedings are fair.

I want to ensure that this important function is as effective as possible, which is why I have launched a thorough review and encourage anyone with an interest to have their say.

The recommendations of the review are expected to be published next spring.