Committee publication · Correspondence · 13 July 2026

Letter from Julie Unwin, Chair, Charity Commission, regarding Charity Commission Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26, 10 July 2026

From: Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Summary

Julie Unwin, Chair of the Charity Commission, writes to Dame Caroline Dinenage MP to transmit the Charity Commission's Annual Report and Accounts for 2025-26. The Commission processed record numbers of charity registrations (4,650 new charities from 11,700 applications, up 20%) and compliance concerns (up 23%), despite reduced staffing. Public trust in charities remains high, but a quarter report impacts from societal polarisation including vandalism and protests.

Key findings

Record year for charity applications: 11,700 assessed (20% increase on 2024-25), resulting in 4,650 new registrations
Compliance caseloads increased 23% year-on-year, straining operational delivery and extending decision timescales despite reduced staffing
Productivity improved through greater efficiencies and resource redeployment
Public trust in charities remains high (second only to doctors), but a quarter of charities report impacts from societal polarisation, including vandalism, protests, and service changes
Government announced stronger powers for the Commission to address terrorist and extremist abuse of charities; many proposals require primary legislation

Tone

Procedural

Topics

charity-regulationpublic-trustcounter-terrorismcivil-society

Key actors

Julie Unwin, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Charity Commission for England and Wales, UK Government

Notable line

“Charities are among the most trusted groups in society, second only after doctors.”

Key Quotes

“We saw another record year of applications to register a new charity, with over 11,700 applications assessed (an increase of 20% on 2024/25), leading to 4,650 new registrations.”
— Julie Unwin · Describing charity registration volumes

“… a quarter of charities say they have been impacted by polarisation and division in Correspondence address: Charity Commission PO Box 211 Bootle L20 7YX E: Chair@charitycommission.gov.uk 10 July 2026 Dame Caroline Dinenage …”
— Julie Unwin · Reporting findings from annual public and trustee research

“… investment secured via the Spending Review will help address resource and capacity issues and to improve the services we offer to charities, trustees and the public.”
— Julie Unwin · Looking ahead to funding for Commission services

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Source · parliament.uk record ↗