HR services provider Equiniti reported that donations from individuals working for companies it works with had much as halved during the recession, with the number of employees giving to good causes also decreasing by 12%.
However, APGO has responded that figures collated by its members in April 2010 gave an indication that revenue was up but with a slight drop in employee numbers giving.
This was backed up with official figures released by HMRC that showed payroll giving continuing to grow, with £106 million being donated to UK charities during that period by 724,000 donors. The previous year’s figures were £104 million donated by 754,000 donors. Additionally over £12.5 million was given during this period through employer enhancement.
Chairman of APGO, Janet Forster-Warnes, said: "It has been reported widely as if these monies have already been lost by charities which give completely the wrong picture of the current marketplace. Payroll giving has been seen to be very resilient even in the current climate and official figures show an additional £2 million increase in the past year, compared to the previous year."
She added: "Payroll giving is still the most tax effective way of regular giving to charity. The APGO is very aware that the scheme has not reached in full potential, with over 10 million employees still without access to the scheme. We are working with charities, businesses and official organisations to develop it and make it more widely available."
