Payroll giving popularity drops November 2011
Posted date: 10 November 2011
Payroll giving figures have slumped for the third year running, leading to calls from business chiefs for more companies to back the scheme.
Only three per cent of the UK workforce currently donates to charity through the payroll. The total stands at 720,000 employees, down 4,000 from 2010, according to figures obtained via the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Leaders from national companies, including BT and Whitbread, have argued that a lack of support from employers is preventing the “massive potential” of payroll giving schemes taking hold.
This method of charity allows employees to donate to their chosen cause in a tax-free way.
Andy Harrison, CEO of Whitbread, said: “More than 20 per cent of our team members have chosen to donate regularly in this way as it is easy and tax-efficient. I would encourage every employer to be a force for good by helping their people support charities of their choice in this way.”
A recent survey carried out by Payroll Giving in Action found that more than 60 per cent of British workers believe that their company should offer the scheme.
Founder of Payroll Giving in Action, Jeremy Colwill, said: “The poll shows that despite having critics, payroll giving still has tremendous support among members of the public. It is now up to businesses both big and small to listen to their staff and promote the scheme within the workplace. Their involvement is key to the survival and future success of payroll giving.”
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- November 2011
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