Payroll giving campaigners want to see an extra 1,000 employers offer a payroll giving scheme to give their staff the chance to donate to good causes each month through their salary.

This would take the total of employers offering the scheme in the UK to 5,000 as currently only 4,000 organisations and businesses offer payroll giving to staff.

Earlier this month campaigners warned that even among organisations with a scheme in place take up is low.

Participation is particularly low among younger employees, “who say they want simpler and more affordable ways to support charities through work”.

The calls for improved payroll giving has been made as part of a month of awareness raising in February during Payroll Giving Month.

The campaign points out that Payroll Giving is a low-cost addition to organisation’s strategies to improve employee wellbeing and being socially responsible.

“Payroll Giving is one of the most effective yet underused ways for employees to support charity,” said Caroline Gaskin, charity manager at Together for Animals, who is leading on the campaign this year.

“Payroll Giving Month is about raising awareness and removing barriers, and now we are encouraging businesses to take a simple step that can have a lasting impact for charities, just like ours, and for the sector as a whole."

The campaign is backed by civil society minister Stephanie Peacock. She said: "Payroll Giving is a brilliant example of how businesses, employees and charities can work together to make a real difference.

"It's simple to set up, offers immediate tax benefits for employees, and provides charities with the regular, reliable income they need to plan ahead and deliver vital services.

"I'm delighted to support Payroll Giving Month and the ambition to bring 1,000 more businesses on board. I'd encourage any employer who hasn't yet considered a scheme to take a look at how easy it can be to offer their staff this meaningful way to give back."

Also supporting the campaign is Kieran Harding, acting chief executive of Business in the Community (BITC).

He said: “Real change happens when businesses support and collaborate with their local communities.

“Our continued support of the scheme reflects our belief that collaboration between businesses and communities is vital in creating lasting social impact and strengthening the connection between businesses and the communities in which they operate."

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