Welsh charities' income half of English counterparts

English charities generate almost twice as much income as Welsh charities, figures from the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) show.

Charity income per head of population is £767 in England - compared with just £386 in Wales.

The disparity comes despite a small increase in overall income from £1.1bn to £1.2bn between 2014-15 and 2015-15.

The WCVA praised charities for their "outstanding" work and blamed austerity and a fall in government funding.

Not only has Welsh Government funding of the sector dropped by 27% since 2010 but the value of contracts between the government and charities has fallen by almost 60%.

The data highlights a trend of reduced public funding for the third sector, the WCVA claimed.

Voluntary organisations support all ages, from providing youth clubs to transportation to the old

But it added that the sector was diversifying its revenue.

"The third sector in Wales continues to operate at a disadvantage compared to the rest of the UK," said WCVA Chief Executive Ruth Marks.

"Austerity has seen a sharp reduction in government funding in recent years.

"Efforts made by charities against this backdrop are outstanding; without these organisations many Welsh communities would now be facing deeper crises."

The WCVA praised the public for their generosity in difficult financial times, and encouraged people to volunteer where possible.

"The Welsh public are very generous and have been giving to charities based in Wales," said director of strategy Anna Nicholl.

The WCVA warned in March that charities and voluntary organisations in Wales were working with "one hand tied behind their backs" due to chronic underfunding.