Building firm Barratt’s charitable arm has now closed applications to its £300,000 grant programme after 45% of charities applying failed to meet its funding criteria.

Two specially built homes with added security measures will be built through an Independent newspaper fundraiser for the charity Refuge for families fleeing domestic violence .

Three in five young workers say they are more loyal to firms that give to charity, however just one in firms donate to good causes, according to the Charities Aid Foundation research.

A Glasgow based digital inclusion charity has received almost £100,000 from a Virgin Money Foundation backed grant to support three- to five-year-olds.