In September 2013, the regulator started an inquiry looking at charities in this category with a last known income of over £500,000, which was then extended to cover those with a last known income of £250,000.

In January 2015 the commission launched a new phase of the inquiry, focusing on charities with a last known income of £200,000 to £249,999. Under this phase 12 charities were added to the inquiry.

Now the inquiry has commenced two new phases, looking again at those charities with a last known income of over £250,000, and then at those with a last known income of between £200,000 to £249,999.

As at the end of December 2015, 88 charities in total had become part of the inquiry, 73 of which have fully complied with their obligations, and as a result ceased to be part of the inquiry. In addition to this, three charities have been removed from the class inquiry and have been placed into inquiries in their own right due to serious regulatory concerns being identified which require further examination.

 The Commission says its actions have resulted in over £68m of funds being transparently accounted for and outstanding accounting information being provided.

The regulator says the inquiry will consider looking at those charities with a last known income of less than £200,000 in early 2016.

Carl Mehta, head of investigations and enforcement operations at the Charity Commission, said: ‘‘As we continue to target defaulting charities, the message to trustees is simple; submitting this annual information is your legal responsibility, even if you delegate it to charity staff or your accountants to do.

‘Charities are sent multiple reminders about their approaching deadlines, and with default notices. There is now an online tool which allows third parties to submit accounts, making the process easier for those involved – so there is no excuse for non-compliance.’

The latest charities to be added to the list are  Keren Chasodim Ltd, Effective Intervention, Mesifta Talmudical College, Gableholt Ltd, Little Oaks Brighton Company, Little Love Lane Pre-School,  Gresley Old Hall Community Welfare Centre, Jewish Seminary for Girls, Bucks County Agricultural Association, The East Anglia Transport Museum Society Ltd, The Addiction Recovery Foundation Ltd,  Smartys Day Nursery (Hitchin), Coptic Orthodox Church Foundation Manchester, and Rossington Miners' Welfare Scheme.

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