Confidence among charity leaders about the sector's financial future is at an all-time low, according to a survey by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).

The NCVO's charity forecast survey found 98% of respondents expected economic conditions to still be negative in 12 months' time, and 33% were planning to make staff redundant over the next three months. ‘These figures really hit home widespread trepidation shared by many voluntary organisations,' said NCVO chief executive, Sir Stuart Etherington.