Total income for charities across Scotland and Northern Ireland could increase by £330m through better collaboration between the public, private and voluntary sectors, a think tank is suggesting.

The estimate has been made in reports by Pro Bono Economic’s Law Family Commission into civil society in the two regions.

Appointing a philanthropy champion in each region and ensuring better link ups between charities, businesses and government, are among recommendations made.

If enacted these calls could “help unlock” £300m extra for charities in Scotland, and £30m for Northern Ireland’s charities.

The Commission has based its estimates on improvements leading to people in Scotland and Northern Ireland uplifting their giving to similar rates in more generous nations, New Zealand or Canada.

The Commission’s chair Gus O’Donnell said “charities are a key part of the solution to every challenge faced” in Northern Ireland, Scotland and across the rest of the UK.

However, “there are fewer people giving regularly to charity, including the growing pool of highest earners who are earning more but giving less”, he added.

“Formal volunteering has stagnated. And the way that the funding system for charities works has left holes in charitable provision in some of the places that need it most, as well as disincentivising investment in skills, digital and the infrastructure that allows charities to have the greatest possible impact with the limited resources that they possess.”

He is calling on funders and devolved administrations in the two regions to work together to “invest strategically in the productivity of the charity sector”.

“Alongside this investment, there must be a dramatic acceleration in the partnership between civil society and business and a reset of the relationship between civil society and government,” he added.

“With this investment, acceleration and partnership, civil society’s full potential can be unleashed.”

ENABLE Scotland chief executive Theresa Shearer, and one of the commissioners, said: “Scotland is well-known for the scale and dedication of its charity sector and community groups and we are rightly proud as a nation of our commitment to civil society. Nevertheless, we are yet to unlock the full potential of Scotland’s social sector.

“Boosting the growth, productivity, organisational effectiveness and societal impact of civil society in Scotland, and across the UK, relies on effective collaboration and partnerships between the public, private and social sectors.”

In January the Law Family Commission called for a "dramatic acceleration" in UK charities’ partnerships with business and a reset in their relationship with politicians.

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