09 Apr 2020
On 8 April, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a £750 million package to help charities struggling during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Experts have warned that charities are struggling as a result of donations drying up and shrinking income due to enforced shop closures during the coronavirus lockdown. The measures announced by the Chancellor include cash grants, which will be supplied to charities that provide key services during the crisis.
As part of the scheme, £360 million will be directly allocated by government departments to those charities. Another £370 million will be directed to small local charities, including those delivering food and essential medicines and providing financial advice.
Charities can already use existing coronavirus schemes, such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, to support people and protect their employees. Some larger charities have furloughed two-thirds of their employees.
The Chancellor said: 'Our charities are playing a crucial role in the national fight against coronavirus, supporting those who are most in need.
'It's right we do everything we can to help the sector during this difficult time, which is why we have announced this unprecedented £750 million package of extra funding.'
Further information can be found here.