We have updated OSCR Online - click here for more information on how to submit your annual return

Charity regulator's annual review

15 Oct 2015

Scotland’s charity regulator has published its latest Annual Review, covering the financial year 2014-15.

Read the Annual Review here.

Drawing on information from its Annual Report and Accounts that were laid before Parliament in the Summer, the new document is designed as an easy to read reference highlighting key facts and figures on the regulator’s role and impact in the past year.

Key highlights include:

  • granting charity status to 752 new charities
  • giving consent to 792 proposed changes to charities
  • handling 337 concerns about charities, and
  • approving 170 applications to reorganise charities.

Aside from simple volumes, the regulator has also worked with other public and charity sector bodies to support charities in meeting their legal duties and in ensuring continued efficiency and effectiveness.

For example:

  • working with charities and bodies such as SCVO to develop guidance on charity campaigning in the independence referendum and the UK General Election
  • updated guidance on meeting the charity test
  • some 77% of charities registered for OSCR Online, achieving efficiencies for the sector and the regulator. 

OSCR’s Chief Executive David Robb welcomed the new publication, which will also be available at the regulator’s forthcoming outreach events.

‘It’s been a busy and productive year for the charity regulator,’ he said.  ‘In addition to increasing workload and still meeting our targets, we’re also achieving increased efficiency and proactively engaging with the sector on key developments.  Our work and impact, set out in our latest Review, demonstrates how we reinforce the public’s confidence in charities and their work.’

You can read all of OSCR's Annual Reviews and Annual Reports and Accounts, here.