This will see a series of new questions added to the annual return, which the Commission says will allow it to tighten up its regulation of charities.

The additional questions will see the annual return become more comprehensive, with an increase from the current 36 questions to 52, although not all will be compulsory or relevant for all charities. Going forward there will be 32 compulsory questions.

The Commission estimates that the changes will cost charities £4.95m to implement.

Most of the proposed questions would be asked every year. However, the consultation also considers whether the data could be collected on a less frequent basis, with the ability to include or omit certain questions in the annual return in each particular year.