Charity Commission launches Consultation on Register of Charities

The Charity Commission has launched a public consultation about the information published in its Register of Charities.

This information, which is available via the Charity Commission’s website, is collected from charities when they register with the Commission, and then on a regular basis through Annual Updates and Annual Returns, which registered charities are required to file.

The Register is an important source of information on charities both for organisations and the general public, and in the last year information in the Register was accessed more than 6 million times.

The aim of the consultation is to ensure that the information published in the Register meets as closely as possible the needs of its users, who may include charity advisors, funders and researchers.

The Commission will welcome views from anyone who uses the online Register of Charities.

Sam Younger, Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, emphasised the long-term nature of the project: “This consultation is not about a quick fix. Some of the issues and questions we are exploring would require changes to legislation or accounting regulations in order to be taken forward. […] We hope that people will use the opportunity to give their views on charity information and help set the agenda, both for short term and longer term change."

The consultation period starts on 29 May 2012 and ends 20 July 2012.