The Charity Commission has proposed a rethink of voluntary organisation annual returns, which is designed to improve public access to the register of charities.

Under the plans, returns will be completed online and changes to the public register completed overnight, so that the public have access to the latest information more swiftly.

Answers submitted to the annual return will also be used to create guidance links online.

One of the main benefits of the new system, according to the Charity Commission, is the fact that it can react to serious problems affecting beleaguered charities with far more effectiveness, nipping potentially critical situations in the bud.

“These proposals are designed to make the annual return an increasingly useful tool for trustees, the public and the commission alike,” said the Charity Commission’s chief executive Andrew Hind.

“It’s important we now make the most of the interactive benefits technology offers to improve the quality of the information charities give us and of the relevance and timeliness of the advice we give them as a result,” he added.

Charities will not be obliged to use the online returns, but will be encouraged to do so.

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