Nearly three-quarters of people gave to charity and 70 per cent volunteered last year, according to a Cabinet Office survey published today. 

The Community Life Survey, published annually by the Cabinet Office, tracks a number of indicators of individuals’ involvement communities across England, including volunteering and giving. 

In an average four-week period 73 per cent of people gave to charity, slightly down on the 75 per cent who did so last year. 

The average amount given to charity also remained stable at £22 – the highest level since 2005. Those giving an average of £20 to £49 increased from 24 per cent in 2014/15 to 28 per cent in 2016/16 but those giving £10 to £19 fell from 27 per cent to 22 per cent. 

Overall volunteering levels also remained stable, with 47 per cent doing so regularly. 70 per cent volunteered in some form over the past 12 months, with 41 per cent participating in formal volunteering. 

Just over 3,000 people were interviewed. 

The Cabinet Office also published its response to a consultation on the sustainability of the survey and said it will stop carrying out the survey face-to-face.  From next year the survey will be carried out by an online and postal survey which it hopes will save money and increase the sample size.