The number of charities and social enterprises involved in public service delivery leapt from 20 per cent in 2008 to 31 per cent in 2010, according to the National Survey of Charities and Social Enterprises, commissioned by the Office for Civil Society.

The survey, which cost £1.5m, and was conducted by Ipsos Mori on behalf of the OCS, involved 44,109 charities and social enterprises across England. (In 2008 the survey involved 48,939 organisations).

Public service delivery was the most popular choice for organisations when asked what they considered to be their main role in 2010.

Some 24 per cent of respondents chose delivery of public services, rising from 14 per cent in 2008. The next most popular main role was running community centres, village halls or religious buildings.

However, more respondents, who delivered public services, were dissatisfied (17 per cent) with local statutory funding arrangements, than satisfied (14 per cent).

The survey also found that, in 2010, just over half of organisations felt they had sufficient income, trustees, financial reserves, office space, IT, advice and support, and management staff to meet their main objectives.

However, only 30 per cent of respondents felt they had a sufficient amount of staff to meet objectives.

Despite this, an overwhelming majority of charities and social enterprises (85 per cent) felt confident that they will be successful in meeting their main objectives over the next 12 months.