Rishi Sunak announces £750m of grants for vital charity sector amid coronavirus crisis

By Geraldine Scott
Published 8th Apr 2020, 17:23 BST
Updated 8th Apr 2020, 18:18 BST
A £750m funding package has been announced to support the UK’s charity sector through the coronavirus crisis.

Speaking at the daily coronavirus briefing at 10 Downing Street, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the support, and said many charities also benefited from schemes already announced by the Government.

But he said for those on the frontline of tackling coronavirus or supporting the vulnerable "shutting up shop at this moment would be to contravene their very purpose".

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Some £370m of that will be for small charities working with vulnerable people through the National Lottery.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak during a media briefing in Downing Street, London, on coronavirus. Photo: PAChancellor Rishi Sunak during a media briefing in Downing Street, London, on coronavirus. Photo: PA
Chancellor Rishi Sunak during a media briefing in Downing Street, London, on coronavirus. Photo: PA

And £360m will go to charities providing essential services, including £200m to hospices.

Mr Sunak said: "We need the gentleness of charities in our lives. It gives us hope, it makes us stronger, and reminds us we depend on each other.”

The Government has also pledged to match the public’s donations to the National Emergencies Trust, guaranteeing a minimum of £20m.

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