At least 500 troops, making up seven per cent of the institution's 7,300 groups, face closure without an urgent injection of funding, Scouts has warned.
The central Scout Association is facing a £3m deficit due to the closure of activity centres, lost income from parent fees and sales of uniforms and badges, latest figures show.
A survey carried out by the organisation found that “while the majority [of troops] are back up and running face-to-face or online, the future of over 500 groups is bleak”.
Chief Scout Bear Grylls said: “Even before the pandemic struck, many of our Scout groups were struggling. They’re struggling to pay their bills, buy basic equipment and attract enough volunteers. Over 500 groups, often in our most deprived areas, are now on the brink.
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