The number of people donating to charity in November was down by nearly four million, new figures show.
According to the Charities Aid Foundation’s latest UK Giving research, which tracks household donor behaviour, 3.8m fewer people gave to or sponsored someone for charity last month.
The research shows that 36 per cent of individuals made a donation this festive season, compared to 43 per cent over the same period in pre-pandemic years.
One in ten people said that they decided not to make a one-off donation to charity because of the cost-of-living squeeze, the report shows.
Five per cent said they had recently reduced or cancelled a regular donation, while one in five (19 per cent) were considering cutting back on their donations to cover their household bills.
But amongst people who donated in the last year, nearly one in five (19 per cent) said they were more likely to donate to charity this Christmas as a direct result of the cost-of-living crisis.
Two in five (42 per cent) said they were especially likely to donate to tackle homelessness or food poverty as part of their Christmas giving.
Neil Heslop, chief executive of the CAF, said: “People cutting back on their donations during the Christmas period is understandable but it’s a concern for the many charities that rely on festive fundraising, especially following two years of cancelled charitable events and appeals.
“Charities know more than most the pressures people are feeling as they try to provide for their families during this incredibly challenging time.
“But if you can afford it, now is the time to give to causes supporting the most vulnerable in our society. There are also other ways to help, such as through volunteering or donating goods.”