Chancellor announces coronavirus aid for frontline charities

A Government funding package of £750 million to help charities was announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak on 8 April. This package has been put in place with some charities facing possible collapse due to falling income levels as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Thousands of charities will be eligible for a cash grant if they provide a key service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Government departments will be given £360 million to allocate directly to these charities.

An additional £370 million will be allocated to small and medium sized local charities, providing essential supplies such as food and medicine and those that provide financial advice.

The final £20 million will be the minimum contribution made by the Government to the Emergencies Trust Appeal as well as matching whatever the public donate as part of the upcoming BBC’s Big Night In charity appeal on 23 April.

Mr Sunak said after announcement that the government would not be able to match every pound of spending that charities would have received this year. But he did add that charities are eligible for the government’s job retention scheme.

Sunak said that the purpose of this scheme was to help charities that were helping to fight coronavirus. He added that “Shutting up shop at this moment would contravene their very purpose.”

For further information please visit the government website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-sets-out-extra-750-million-coronavirus-funding-for-frontline-charities

Related content

Coronavirus Guidance Update for Charities

Fundraising regulator publishes new guidance to help charities with fundraising reporting requirements

How can we help?

At Hawsons we have a dedicated team of charity accountants at our offices in Sheffield, Doncaster, and Northampton. Our dedicated team fully understands the complex, ever-changing regulatory requirements of the charity and not-for-profit sector. Irrespective of your size we wish to support you to maximise the benefits you could achieve through our specialist professional advice.

More from our charity experts

You can find all of our latest charity sector news and newsletters here.

If you are looking for advice in a particular area, please get in touch with your usual Hawsons contact.

Alternatively, we offer all new clients a free initial meeting to have a discussion about their own personal circumstances – find out more or book your free initial meeting here. We have offices in Sheffield, Doncaster and Northampton.