In the above documents, all references to the Cabinet Office should be read as Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS). Policy responsibility for the national exemption order scheme transferred to DCMS in July 2016. These documents are being updated on an ongoing basis.
National Exemption Order (NEO) holders are exempted under section 3(1) of the House to House Collections Act 1939 from having to apply for individual collection licences from local authorities.
The operational guidance provides details on:
provisions of the legislation governing the national exemption order scheme
running of the scheme by DCMS officials
eligibility criteria
application process
legal requirements as a NEO holder and of those acting under its authority
Appeals
Organisations can appeal to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport if a local authority refuses them a licence to hold a house-to-house collection or if they revoke such a licence. DCMS processes these appeals.
In the case of street collections, there is currently no equivalent right of appeal. The Charities Act 2006 contains provision for a new licensing scheme for public charitable collections, but these provisions are not yet in force.
Updates to this page
Published 13 February 2013 Last updated 28 November 2024 +show all updates
Removed Little Sisters of the Poor - NEO has been revoked at their requestUpdated address for Macmillan Cancer SupportUpdated address for The Salvation Army
Removed the National Council of YMCAs from the list of NEO holders
Update to two of the addresses on the list; Marie Curie and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The list has been updated to include Alzheimer's Research UK
Number of NEOs changed from 41 to 38, with the list updated accordingly. 'Digital' removed from the Department's name following a Machinery of Government change. Changed the 'Operational Guidance for the National Exemption Order Scheme' from a PDF document to an HTML attachment to improve accessibility.
Added Greenpeace UK to list of NEO holders
- Number of NEOs changed from 48 to 40, with the list updated accordingly- Updated guidance form and application form added
Edited 'List of National Exemption Order holders' document to provide up to date list as of August 2021
New up to date documents added
Updated list and added guidance on the scheme and forms of account
Updated list
Updated list.
Updated list of Exemption Order holders.
List has been updated with data correct to December 2013.
