Regulator concludes investigation into 4 charities as class inquiry continues

The Charity Commission has removed four charities from an ongoing statutory class inquiry into 105 charities.

In May 2025, the Commission launched a statutory class inquiry after 105 charities were found to have issued cheques that were then exchanged for cash to a value of £22 million between December 2021 and March 2023. Charities have entered the inquiry in tranches.

The Charity Commission has today (9th September 2026) confirmed it has concluded its investigation into four charities that were part of a statutory class inquiry. These are: The Z.S.V. Trust, Bnois Jerusalem Schools, Forty Limited and Friends Of Yeshiva Daas Sholem Shotz, 

The Commission found evidence that all four charities issued open cheques between December 2021 and March 2023. Over the course of its investigation, the Commission was satisfied that each charity was undertaking charitable activities in line with their charitable purposes. However, the regulator has made a finding of misconduct and/or mismanagement in all four cases as the use of blank or open cheques is high risk and lacks the effective oversight of charitable spending that the regulator would expect from trustees.

Since opening the investigation, all four charities have confirmed to the Commission that blank or open cheques are no longer used. The regulator has issued those charities that are still operating with a Regulatory Action Plan to address governance weaknesses and make improvements to their internal financial controls. Trustees have also been given regulatory advice and guidance to help them to improve how their charity is run.

As part of its inquiry, the Commission has exchanged information with other government departments.