“Last week’s budget announcement from Chancellor Rachel Reeves has significant implications for the UK charity sector – a sector that is already facing a challenging environment when it comes to fundraising, rising costs and ongoing provision of services.

We welcome the decision to provide extra funding for the NHS, and to focus on reducing waiting lists and enhancing the service offered to people in need of treatment. However, it is not clear how this funding will translate to support for the families of children facing cancer or a life challenging condition that Momentum Children’s Charity works with.

“In addition, the increase in employer National Insurance contributions will have a significant impact for charities like ours – for Momentum this will add costs of around £60,000 over the next three years. This is similar to the cost of providing support to 120 families over the course of the same period. To cover this additional cost, we will need to divert funding away from the services that we provide to families, including counselling, peer to peer support, a range of creative therapy services, and respite breaks.

“We had hoped to see greater support from the government for the charity sector, and in particular for charities that provide critical support and services to supplement those offered by the NHS. At the very least, an exemption from the increased employer contributions would allow us, and other charities like us, to continue offering our services as planned and avoid diverting donations from hard-working individuals away from those services.”

Bianca Effemey OBE
Founder & CEO
Momentum Children’s Charity

The recent budget announcement means we need your support more than ever. Donate now to support families of children with serious illnesses.