All for a good cause.

Are charities capitalizing unfairly on their privileged status? Polly Toynbee conducts this investigation into claims that they are damaging the economy. Critics cite the growth of charity shops; exempt from rates and VAT, and with no staff costs, it is claimed that they damage local trade, even carrying new goods, so that local shops - Whitby is the example - cannot compete. 185,000 charities exist, all with the privilege of tax exemption. Is the Charity Commission competent to ensure that all are genuine? Is it time to do away with the Charity Commission?