Probate delays prevent cancer research charity from investing in crucial projects
The largest independent funder of cancer research in Europe, Cancer Research UK, has been facing significant financial challenges due to probate delays, MPs heard yesterday. The charity has been unable to invest in 44 projects this year, representing a loss of potential funding amounting to £30m.
Angela Morrison, the chief operating officer for Cancer Research UK, highlighted the impact of probate delays on the charity’s income, with probate funding making up 40% of their overall income and 50% of fundraising. The charity commits funds for a minimum of five years when granting money, but the current probate backlog has forced them to make day-to-day decisions without knowing when the money will be available.
Alex McDowell, vice chair of Remember A Charity, emphasized the importance of gifts in wills for many charities, stating that funding tied up in the probate backlog could help charities navigate through challenging times, especially with inflationary pressures affecting operational costs and donations.
The Law Society provided written evidence to the House of Commons justice select committee, explaining that probate applications, which used to take seven to 10 working days to process, are now experiencing delays of at least 30 weeks and sometimes over a year. The Society attributed these delays to a surge in applications, a reduction in staff at the probate service, and technical issues with a new case data management system.
Justice minister Mike Freer MP responded to concerns about probate delays by stating that HMCTS has increased staffing levels, streamlined processes, and invested in improving the digital service, resulting in record levels of probate grants in recent months.
The probate delays have had a significant impact on charities reliant on gifts in wills, with Cancer Research UK being just one example of the challenges faced by organizations in the sector. The ongoing probate inquiry will continue to explore the financial implications of these delays and potential solutions to address the issue.
