Trust in charities risen by a quarter

Over 65 per cent of the 1000 people asked said they trust charities. This means that charities have enjoyed the largest increase in public trust of any public body or institution since the last survey in July 2007.

Charities are now the fourth most trusted group behind the Armed Forces (76 per cent), the NHS (70 per cent) and schools (67 per cent).

'These latest figures should encourage a charity sector facing obvious challenges in the economic downturn', said nfpSynergy's driver of ideas Joe Saxton.

The survey saw a rise in confidence for all public institutions, but a nine per cent drop in confidence in banks.

Saxton said this increase was 'partly due to the public and voluntary sectors appearing distinctly trustworthy compared with a failing private sector.'

He added: 'Happily, despite the economic downturn, the public might just trust a charity with its money before a bank'.