Autumn Budget 2026: MCF Urges Meaningful Support for Charities Amid Growing Financial Pressures 

As the Chancellor unveils his first Autumn Budget, Muslim Charities Forum welcomes steps to help ease the strain on vulnerable communities this winter. This includes measures such as the £100 energy payment for millions of households, the extension of the VAT cut on energy bills, and the announcement of a £430 million package to end rough sleeping. 

However, we are concerned by the absence of meaningful support for charities and voluntary organisations serving these communities. Last month, MCF joined more than 80 organisations from the Civil Society Group in calling on the Chancellor to ensure sustainable funding for charities and establish a strategic partnership between government and the sector to deliver growth. The lack of recognition in the Chancellor’s statement of the financial pressures facing charities is therefore disappointing. 

Charities are facing a triple crunch of rising demand, increased costs, and falling income. While increases to the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage are positive, they will also intensify pressures on many charities already struggling with rising operational costs. 

Fadi Itani OBE, CEO of Muslim Charities Forum, said: 

“While we welcome cost-of-living measures to support households, sustained investment in the charities that support communities is equally important. As demand grows, the government must ensure the voluntary sector has the resources it needs to meet the challenges ahead.” 

MCF calls on the Government to engage meaningfully with organisations across the sector, in line with the principles of the Civil Society Covenant. Listening to and acting on the sector’s recommendations will be vital to ensuring charities can continue delivering essential services and contributing to stronger, more resilient communities.