Package to help Britain’s struggling charities stay afloat in pandemic

can to help the sector during this difficult time, which is why we have announced this unprecedented £750 million package of extra funding.

“This will ensure our key charities can continue to deliver the services that millions of people up and down the country rely on.”

Tens of thousands of charities are expected to benefit, including hospices, St John’s Ambulance to help it support the NHS, vulnerable children and victims services and Citizen’s Advice, to increase the number of staff providing advice.

Announcing the funds for frontline charities at a Downing Street press conference, Mr Sunak said: “Those charities have never been more needed than they are now, and they’ve never faced such a sudden fall in their funding.”

He added: “At this time, when many are hurting and tired and confined, we need the gentleness of charities in our lives.

“It gives us hope, it makes us stronger and it reminds us we depend on each other.”

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said he was “delighted” that up to £200m will go towards hospices.

He said: “The entire charity sector has stepped up as part of our national effort to tackle coronavirus - from helping our NHS heroes to ensuring the most vulnerable among us are cared for properly.

“Hospices have suffered a huge challenge to their funding due to the outbreak of coronavirus, but at the same time continued to play a vital role in delivering compassionate, quality end-of-life care for many people.”

Sir John Low, chief executive of the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), said: “This set of measures from the Treasury will offer important and welcome support for civil society at this very difficult time for us all.” But he added that “there is still a long way to go”.