Since the beginning of the Covid crisis, PBE has been an authoritative home of up to date data on the state of the charity sector. Much of this work draws from surveys of the charity sector, including at present the VCSE Sector Barometer undertaken in parternship with Nottingham Trent University.
If you can help us understand more about the sector by filling out our survey each quarter, please sign up here.
PBE examines the consequences of the OBR's outlook and the Chancellor's Autumn Statement for charities. Read more
New research by PBE shines a light on the significant contribution of women to the UK charity sector and examines the under-discussed gender imbalance that holds the sector back. Read more
The Q4 2023 VCSE Sector Barometer focuses in on volunteer wellbeing, looking at the effects of the cost of living crisis on staff and volunteers, and the ways charities are supporting staff. Read more
The third instalment of the quarterly VCSE Sector Barometer shines a spotlight on the volunteer recruitment and retention challenges faced by charities, against a backdrop of high demand but cautious optimism. Read more
Using our interactive map, discover where in the country council groups and political parties are setting out the most ambitious agenda for the social sector in 2023's local elections. Read more
The Q1 2023 VCSE Sector Barometer shines a spotlight on the recruitment and retention challenges faced by charities, against a challenging financial backdrop and high demand. Read more
What charities need to know about the implications of the Chancellor's 2023 Budget for their income, demand, services, and the economy overall. Read more
Ahead of the announcement of the Chancellor's 2023 Budget this week, PBE's Anoushka Kenley, Jack Larkham and Nicole Sykes make the case for the charity sector's role in helping to solve the UK's inactivity challenge. Read more
After years of decline in formal volunteering, new survey data and polling suggests a rise in 2023. Read more
The Q4 2022 VCSE Sector Barometer shows rising demand, rising costs, income deterioration and service cuts in some organisations. Read more
New survey data reveals how the charity sector is struggling to adapt to the rise in energy bills, including some charities most critical to the response to the cost of living crisis. Read more
PBE's Nicole Sykes takes a look at the impact of public sector backlogs on the charity sector. Read more
PBE Economist Jamie O'Halloran explores how the charity and non-profit sector is undervalued in national accounts, and how this can be improved. Read more
PBE's Matt Whittaker and Jack Larkham explore the challenges facing charities in the cost of living crisis with an analysis of new YouGov data. Read more
High levels of inflation are set to persist for some time. This briefing, in partnership with CAF, sets out the challenges for charities' staff, volunteers, beneficiaries, donors and finances. Read more
Ahead of the arrival of a new government led by Liz Truss, this latest analysis for the Law Family Commission on Civil Society calls for greater engagement between government advisory groups and the social sector. Read more
New PBE research for the Law Family Commission on Civil Society analysing the size of the pay gap between the charity sector and the rest of the economy. Read more
New figures from the Bank of England show significant uncertainty for both charities and businesses alongside pay and recruitment strains. Read more
Using our interactive map, discover where in the country council groups and political parties are setting out the most ambitious agenda for the social sector in 2022's local elections. Read more
PBE's analysis of the Chancellor's Spring Statement and the latest OBR figures, what they mean for the people charities serve, charity demand and finances. Read more
New analysis on the cost-of-living crisis' impact on low-income households and the charities supporting them. Read more
Charity Finance Group (CFG) and Pro Bono Economics (PBE) have published an Economic Outlook Briefing for the charity sector. Read more
PBE's Research and Policy Analyst Jack Larkham explores the data on inequality within the social sector workforce. Read more