The Charity Commission has said it wants to take a “fundamental look” at how it collects information, in its consultation on what data charities must submit in their annual return form.

All registered charities with incomes over £10,000 have to submit an annual return to the Charity Commission, in order to make sure the information published on the public register of charities is up to date. 

The consultation document said that fundamental information about a charity should be up to date all the time, and that it will be asking charities to make amendments throughout the year and then confirm the information is still accurate when they file the annual return. 

The regulator said it wants to use the annual return to enable it ask more detailed questions around its regulatory priorities, where it is appropriate for the charity. 

For example, it could use a trigger question to find out if charities have vulnerable beneficiaries. Those charities which do will be asked further questions on safeguarding but other charities will not receive these questions.

The commission is not adding any questions for 2017 but wants to carry out user testing over the next few months.

A survey is available online and the consultation period ends on 9 March 2017 and comments can be sent by email to [email protected] or [email protected].