Charity income from legacies has fallen for the second consecutive quarter, according to figures released by the Legacy Market Monitor.

The total amount of income from legacies for the 51 charities which form the Legacy Foresight consortium fell to £977m in the year leading up to June 2011. While it was a slight improvement (0.3 per cent) on legacy income in the year ending June 2010, it represents a downward trend over this year.

These latest figures are marginally down on the total legacy income for the year ending March 2011 (£981m), which was itself down on the December 2010 figures (£992m).

Legacy Foresight blamed the falling house prices and share values for the decline. These economic factors have impacted on the average residual legacy value, which remains 6 per cent lower than its pre-recession peak, now at £51,600.

The legacy group warned that economic indicators suggest the UK could be moving back into recession, which would have a knock-on effect on legacy values and charity income.