Cancer Research UK (CRUK) has reported its highest-ever income, an increase of £51m from the previous financial year.
The charity reported a total income of £735m for the year to March 2025, an increase from £684m recorded in 2023-24.
The increase was largely due to more legacy giving, with the charity receiving £288m through gifts in wills, compared to £231m the year before.
Its donations and events income also rose, to £191m and £51.8m respectively, but this was offset by a £10m reduction in sales of its prostate cancer drug abiraterone.
The charity received £11m from investments and other income, £59m from royalties and grants and £135m from trading (including shops and online marketplaces).
Meanwhile, the charity’s expenditure increased to £715m in 2024-25, up from £692m in 2023-24.
Of this, the charity committed £419m to cancer research, £34m to cancer information and influencing policy, £132m to trading (including shops and online marketplaces) and £130m to costs of generating funds.
Pay rise for shops staff
CRUK said it awarded eligible staff a 3.5% pay increase in 2024-25 and those employed in its around 600 shops a 9.8% uplift in line with the national living wage.
The charity’s CEO, Michelle Mitchell, was paid £288,000 excluding pensions and other benefits in 2024-25, an increase from £276,000 in the previous financial year.
Mitchell said of the results: “We’re incredibly proud to have achieved our highest-ever income this year, which reflects our incredible community of supporters, volunteers, staff and partners.
“Thanks to them, we’re delivering significant progress and impact for those affected by cancer and their loved ones, funding vital research that will outsmart cancer and lead to improvements in treatments and outcomes.
“Together, we can give millions of people more precious time with their loved ones.”
She added: “We’re pleased with our impact and results and are looking to the future with confidence and optimism that our vital work will continue to save and improve lives.
“However, we also remain focused on the challenges, which include a higher cost of living, inflation, and tough conditions on the high street which continue to impact the retail sector.
“In response to these challenges, we’re making some important decisions to ensure we’re set up for future success and adapting to a changing world.
“We’re investing in growth and impact, embracing innovation – from AI to data-driven science and operations – whilst keeping costs under control to be able to fund even more research.”
