Less than two months after OSCR launched its online service for submitting accounts and amending charity details, some 10 per cent of Scottish charities have logged in.

When asked, around half of all charities registered with OSCR (the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator) told the regulator that they would prefer to submit electronic returns. In June these 11,567 charities were given login details to OSCR Online, as the service is called.

Since then 2,354 have logged into the system (10 per cent of Scottish charities), including 656 which have submitted their accounts and 285 which have updated their details. 

David Robb, chief executive of OSCR said:

"We've seen a really positive start to OSCR Online, with the new system proving robust, and a good proportion of charities logging on.

"OSCR Online saves charities time and cost, and gives more control and flexibility.  Thousands of charities have already tried it out - so if you haven't done so already, what are you waiting for?" he said.

In England and Wales charities have been able to submit their returns to the Charity Commission online since 2007. In that year 33 per cent of accounts were submitted online. Currently around three-quarters of charities choose to do so.

OSCR became the Scottish charities regulator in 2005. It originally planned to introduce online filing in April last year but was forced to delay due to a lack of funds. The estimated costs of the system are between £200,000 and £240,000.