Charities in Wales are set to lose £620m amid the Covid-19 pandemic this year, according to latest figures.

The estimate is for charities with headquarters in Wales and losses are set to be even higher in the area, taking into account UK-wide charities that operate in Wales.

The figures have been detailed by Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) in evidence submitted to the Welsh government’s equality, local government and communities committee on the impact of Covid-19 on the voluntary sector in Wales.

WCVA evidence says that small charities are particularly at risk, as “Welsh charities are smaller than their counterparts in England and Scotland and Wales has the highest percentage of micro charities in the UK (53%).”

Micro-charities refers to those with an income of less than £10,000 a year. A further 32% of charities in Wales are small charities, with an annual income of less than £100,000.

The Welsh government is being called on to provide funding to increase reslilience in the charity sector and “given the length of the crisis, consideration should be given to extending this beyond the current financial year”.

WCVA is also calling for the online management and promotion of volunteering to be ramped up and greater Welsh government investment in voluntary sector programmes.

“The sector and volunteers are performing exceptionally well given the uncertain circumstances, continuing to deliver vital services to individuals and communities; however, it is vital that they are given the resource and support needed to continue to do so. WCVA will continue to engage with policy-makers and sector partners to ensure the voluntary sector’s voice is heard at all levels of government at this critical time,” said WCVA chief executive Ruth Marks.

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