BBC Media Action

Analysis

BBC Media Action is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in June 1999, 27 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, the advancement of health or saving of lives, the prevention or relief of poverty and overseas aid/famine relief, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 03521587). It says it provides human resources, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending March 2026, BBC Media Action reported income of £30.3m and spending of £30.3m, spending 100% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2022 to March 2026, income fell from £34.2m to £30.3m (-12%), an average of -3.0% a year. Over the whole period it spent 102% of the income it received.

Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, BBC Media Action sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Farleigh Hospice (£30.2m), Southern Hospice Group (£30.3m) and Arthritis UK (£30.0m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 81% and donations and legacies 18%. Charitable activities took 98% of spending and raising funds 2.1%. Reserves of £3.5m would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 468 people.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.