The Centre for Economic Policy Research
Analysis
The Centre for Economic Policy Research is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in June 1983, 43 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under community and economic development. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01727026). It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides services.
In the financial year ending September 2025, The Centre for Economic Policy Research reported income of £7.5m and spending of £7.4m, spending 98% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2021 to September 2025, income grew from £4.8m to £7.5m (+56%), an average of +12% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2022, when income rose by 38%. Over the whole period it spent 97% of the income it received.
Among 1,869 England and Wales charities whose main cause is community and economic development and that reported income, The Centre for Economic Policy Research sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include AllChild (£7.3m), CXK (£7.5m) and Positive Steps Oldham (£6.7m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 87% and charitable activities 4.7%. Charitable activities took 100% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Grants to other organisations totalled £2.1m. Reserves of £1.2m would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 19 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 87%
- Charitable activities 4.7%
- Investments 0.6%
- Other 7.8%
In the charity's own words
CEPR's mission is to promote world-class economic research and deliver the policy-relevant results to decision-makers: Research Excellence with Policy Relevance. It provides common services for its network of researchers and for users of its research, and obtains funding for the activities it develops, executing projects once funding is obtained, and reporting to donors on activities undertaken.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| AllChild | London | £7.3m |
| CXK | Kent | £7.5m |
| Positive Steps Oldham | Oldham | £6.7m |
| The Chartered Quality Institute | London | £7.6m |