Almost 30,000 fewer employees took part in payroll giving schemes at work over the last year, official figures have revealed.

In 2022 the figures show that just 516,000 took part, a 5% drop on the previous year’s figure of 545,000.

This is the third consecutive drop since payroll giving was measured in this way by His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Since 2020, when 591,000 were involved in such schemes, there has been a 12% drop in payroll giving, the figures also show.

In addition, the value of payroll giving has also slumped and worth £128m in 2022 compared to £137m the previous year.

“It’s concerning to see a sustained fall in the number of people participating in payroll giving schemes,” said Philippa Cornish, head of corporate clients at the Charities Aid Foundation, which runs payroll giving scheme Give As You Earn.

She added that payroll giving “gives charities a regular income that many rely on”.

“Employers should see payroll giving as an important part of their employee value proposition, and a powerful way for their people to make a positive impact in their communities.”



In February a survey by CAF found that staff are confused about their employers’ payroll giving schemes. Two in five did not know if their bosses offered a payroll giving scheme. A fifth revealed that their employer does not offer this opportunity to give to good causes.

Last year evaluation of Payroll Giving Week, indicated that promotion of payroll giving can boost uptake where it is offered.

It found an 87% increase in donors signing up in 2022 in the two months following the campaign to give through their salary compared to the previous year’s promotional push.

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