The Charity Commission’s budget is set to rise by more than a quarter to £37.9m next year following today’s spending review.
According to the Treasury’s spending review settlement, published today, the regulator’s budget will rise by 27% in 2026-27 from the £29.8m earmarked for the current financial year.
The commission welcomed the increased funding, which it plans to spend on digital and AI technology to help it manage rising demands on its services due to more charities being registered and it seeing increasingly complex cases.
It also plans to hire more staff after seeing its budgeted posts reduce by 15% since 2022 to 434 full-time equivalent roles currently.
“The commission welcomes this settlement, which will enable the shared ambition of the commission and the government to make greater use of technology to maximise efficiency and reduce costs while still delivering excellent public services,” a spokesperson for the regulator said.
“The increase in funding will help us meet the changing shape and scale of risks facing the sector and reflects government's recognition of the role of charities in enhancing lives and strengthening society.”
Sector call answered
The commission’s budget increase follows a recommendation made by sector body the Civil Society Group in a letter to the Treasury earlier this year.
Jay Kennedy, director of policy and research at the Directory of Social Change, said: “We’re really pleased that the government has listened to the Directory of Social Change and our colleagues in the Civil Society Group, and boosted the Charity Commission for England and Wales budget, as we pushed for in our response to the spending review consultation earlier this year.”
While the spending review allocates £37.9m for the commission in 2026-27, this declines to £36.4m then £34.4m in subsequent years.
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