Committee publication · Estimate memoranda · 3 March 2026
Charity Commission Supplementary Estimate 2025-26 memorandum
From: Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Inquiry: The work of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Summary
The Charity Commission's supplementary estimate for 2025–26 seeks £33.389m in Resource DEL (unchanged from main estimates) and £2.65m in Capital DEL (down £1.8m, primarily due to property lease accounting adjustments). The Commission reports strong regulatory performance despite acute staffing pressures: FTE declined 10% since 2022–23 while complaints surged 77% and registrations rose 15%. A positive Spending Review outcome enables planned organisational expansion and IT investment from 2026–27.
Key findings
- Resource DEL held at £33.389m; no in-year change from main estimates, representing 4% increase against 2024–25 outturn.
- Capital DEL reduced by £1.8m (39%) to £2.65m; £2.174m allocated to IFRS 16 property lease accounting.
- Regulatory Services FTE declined from 271 to 243 (2022–23 to 2025–26) amid 23% surge in regulatory demand, including 77% increase in complaints and 15% rise in registration applications.
- Case closure productivity improved 27% in regulatory concerns and 17% in registrations per FTE despite staffing reductions; 351 cases closed YTD across Regulatory Authority (vs 273 in 2024–25).
- Commission Futures programme planned for 2026–27 with significant IT infrastructure investment and organisational redesign following positive Spending Review outcome.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Charity Commission for England and Wales, HM Treasury, Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), Charity Commission Northern Ireland (CCNI), Charities Regulator Ireland, David Holdsworth, House of Commons Scrutiny Unit
Notable line
“Regulatory Services is experiencing a period of acute resourcing and capacity pressure, with FTE staffing declining from 271 to 243 since FY 2022–23.”
Key Quotes
“Regulatory Services is experiencing a period of acute resourcing and capacity pressure, with FTE staffing declining from 271 to 243 since FY 2022–23.”
“This reduction has coincided with a 23% surge in regulatory demand, including a 77% increase in complaints and a 15% rise in registration applications.”
“… productivity has markedly improved, with case closures per FTE rising by 27% in regulatory concerns and 17% in registrations.”
“… the reduction in staff numbers combined with the increase in demand, is putting key performance indicators under pressure in the second half of the year.”
“… following a positive Spending Review outcome, the Commission is preparing for a significant increase in its resources from 2026-27 by undertaking a review …”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗