Chancellor Rishi Sunak said that charities across the UK will receive the funding to help them continue their vital work.
Tens of thousands of charities providing vital services will benefit from direct cash grants to ensure they can meet increased demand as a result of the virus, as well as continuing their day-to-day activities supporting those in need.
As part of a UK-wide package of support, £360 million will be directly allocated by government departments to charities providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the crisis.
The Treasury said that there would also be £370 million for small and medium-sized charities, including through a grant to the National Lottery Community Fund for those in England, to support organisations at the heart of local communities which are making a big difference during the outbreak, including those delivering food, essential medicines and providing financial advice.
Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan welcomed the announcement but said the £750m package was ‘little more than a sticking plaster for a critical wound. It does not go far enough to ensure Barnardo’s and other charities can continue to support vulnerable children and adults during this extraordinary period and beyond.
‘Demand for our services is already skyrocketing with more children experiencing domestic abuse, and at greater risk of sexual abuse at home and online. Mental health is moving from crisis to catastrophe and more families are falling into poverty.
‘Financially, the worst is yet to come as the economic downturn continues and I urge ministers to keep the package under review.
‘Now more than ever we need the great British public to support charities across the sector – responding to emergency appeals like Barnardo’s Coronavirus Crisis appeal to ensure we can continue to support the most vulnerable in their hour of need.’
Both Barnardo’s and Save the Children have also launched their own coronavirus crisis fundraising appeals.
Earlier this week, Save the Children joined forces with 150 world leaders in urging the G20 to set up a pledging conference and task force to co-ordinate a global response to Covid-19.
Kevin Watkins, the charity’s UK chief executive and Inger Ashing, the CEO of Save the Children International, are among the signatories to a letter calling for urgent measures to prevent a second wave of the pandemic.
The letter, signed by Gordon Brown, the former British prime minister, Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel laureate, and Graca Machel, Nelson Mandela’s widow, also demands rapid support for the weakest health services in Africa and Asia and debt relief to help poor countries fight the disease.
Kevin Watkins said, ‘The pandemic is not just a public health crisis, it is also a threat to child rights. There is a grave danger that progress achieved over the last 20 years in reducing poverty, cutting child deaths and expanding access to learning will be reversed.
‘Unless there is concerted global action, it will be the poorest and most vulnerable who will bear the brunt in Africa and Asia, just as they have in Europe and North America.’
Announcing the funding, the chancellor said, ‘Our charities are playing a crucial role in the national fight against coronavirus, supporting those who are most in need.
‘It’s right we do everything we can to help the sector during this difficult time, which is why we have announced this unprecedented £750 million package of extra funding.
‘This will ensure our key charities can continue to deliver the services that millions of people up and down the country rely on.’
The Government has also promised to match all donations to the BBC's Big Night In fundraising event on 23 April, pledging a minimum of £20m.
Dawn Austwick, chief Executive, National Lottery Community Fund, said, 'I’ve been inspired by how charities and voluntary groups have stepped up to support people and communities through this crisis. So this support from Government is welcome, we look forward to working alongside Government and others to ensure these new funds have the biggest possible impact in communities.'
