From £15.4bn in 2024, the total fell to £14bn last year, with overseas aid charities and disaster appeals among the worst affected. While the number of UK donors has been falling for years – with 6 million fewer than a decade ago – bigger donations from a smaller number of people have until recently made up the difference. Now, it appears that even they are disappearing and the CAF is appealing for a revival of “the culture of giving”. It wants ministers to make charities central to their Pride in Place neighbourhood renewal programme. Given the importance of charities in many frontline services, delivered via contracts with councils, there is reason to be alarmed. Many are already chronically underfunded for the projects they deliver. Cuts should be expected to cause harm.