Refugee Action

Analysis

Refugee Action is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in December 1981, 45 years ago. Its declared purposes cover the prevention or relief of poverty and economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under poverty relief. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01593454). It says it provides services, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.

In the financial year ending March 2025, Refugee Action reported income of £6.9m and spending of £8.1m, spending 118% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £8.8m to £6.9m (-22%), an average of -6.1% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income rose by 47%. Over the whole period it spent 94% of the income it received.

Among 15,276 England and Wales charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, Refugee 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 98th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Citizens Advice Caerphilly Blaenau Gwent (£6.8m), Grace and Compassion Benedictines (£6.9m) and Redeemed Christian Church of God (£6.7m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 59%, donations and legacies 38% and investments 2.7%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £334k. Charitable activities took 76% of spending and raising funds 24%. Reserves of £1.7m would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 95 people.