Government Pledges Charity Support

• Published date: 12 August 2020
• Subject Matter: Corporate/Commercial Law, Coronavirus (COVID-19), Charities & Non-Profits , Government Measures
• Law Firm: Rollits LLP
• Author: Ms Gerry Morrison

On 8 April 2020, the Chancellor announced that the Government will provide '750 million of funding to support charities during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This will be allocated as follows:

• '370 million to support small local charities working with vulnerable people.
• '360 million to charities providing essential services and supporting vulnerable people. Up to '200 million of these grants will support Hospices, with the remainder going to charities such as St John Ambulance and Citizens' Advice Bureau in addition to charities supporting vulnerable children, victims of domestic abuse or disabled people.

The Government has also pledged to match, pound for pound, public donations made to BBC's Big Night In charity appeal on 23 April, with at least '20 million for the National Emergencies Trust Appeal. Charities are also eligible for the Job Retention Scheme and many charities may already have furloughed their employees

The announcement has been broadly welcomed, but some charities and representatives of the Charity Sector have warned that it is not sufficient. There is also uncertainty about the speed with which the funding will be available and the application process.

The Charity Commission has recommended that...