Children's charities need clarity on support package

While we acknowledge that the government announced a lot in the first few days under the new leadership, and were heartened to hear that the same support received by households will be extended to businesses and charities, the six-month time period provides at best some breathing space rather than a sustainable solution.

Therefore YMCA, which supports more than 570,000 young people each year across 700 communities in England and Wales, with everything from housing and mental health support to youth work and food banks, is calling for significant long-term action to support a sector on the brink of collapse.

In every area imaginable charities are absorbing the impact of this crisis, and at a time when many are still recovering from the pressures of the pandemic. Most significantly, rising energy prices risk compromising the future of some YMCAs, as many of those coming out of fixed-price contracts face eye-watering increases of up to 600 per cent, with one local YMCA citing a potential rise from £680,000 in 2021/22 to £2.5m.