A survey by Ipsos Mori for NPC about how charities are perceived by people who vote for various political parties has suggested that Ukip voters have lower levels of trust in charities than those who plan to vote for one of the three mainstream parties.

The findings of the study are published in NPC’s new report, Charities, voters and trust. The research found that 53 per cent of Ukip supporters say they have low trust in charities, rating them five or less out of ten. This is 20 points more than Conservative voters, at 33 per cent, 25 more than Labour (28 per cent), and 29 more than Lib Dem supporters (24 per cent).

This compares with 35 per cent of the public as a whole who has low trust in charities.

The study also found that Ukip voters expressed virtually no support for international charities – a result that is hardly surprising given Ukip’s foreign policy.

NPC suggests that a potential interpretation of the results is that both Ukip and undecided voters share a disillusionment with politics and society which also affects their attitudes to charities. “For example, other Ipsos Mori research suggests that Ukip supporters are less optimistic about the economy and their own personal financial circumstances and the least satisfied with how the government is running the country,” said the report. “They are often mistrusting of British institutions generally, including charities.”  

Dan Corry, NPC chief executive, said: “We know that many UKIP supporters are disillusioned with the Westminster establishment and with many public institutions. Our new research suggests that charities are in danger of being lumped in with them.”

He warned that the sector should not ignore the findings because “Ukip supporters seem to represent an increasing strand of public opinion” and “may have a bigger voice—or even hold the balance of power—after the general election”.

However, NPC’s report also conceded that Ukip voters represent only around a quarter of all those who claim to have low trust in charities. A fifth of these were also Conservative voters and another fifth were Labour supporters.

Ipsos Mori polled more than 1,000 adults aged 16-75 in October for the study.