Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what financial support is available for health and social care charities during the covid-19 outbreak.

On 8 April, the Chancellor announced £750 million to support the charity sector in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund comprises three elements:

- £360 million has been allocated by central Government to charities in England based on evidence of service need, including £22 million for health and social care charities and £200 million for hospices;

- £370 million to support charities working with vulnerable people. In England, £200 million of this support will be provided through the National Lottery Community Fund’s “Coronavirus Community Support Fund”, which charities can apply directly for. This will provide support for thousands of charities on the frontline of helping vulnerable people affected by COVID-19; and

- The Government will match whatever the public decides to donate to the BBC Big Night In fundraising event that took place on 23 April, starting with a contribution of at least £20 million to the National Emergencies Trust appeal.

Charities can also access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and they are able to benefit from the three-month VAT deferral scheme. Charity shop premises will benefit from the new enhanced retail rate relief at 100%.