THE government has announced a new £750 million package to help the charity sector through the coronavirus pandemic.

Many charities are struggling during the health crisis due to cancelled fundraising events, to comply with social distancing measures.

During the coronavirus press briefing this evening, Wednesday, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said charities can furlough staff on the government job retention scheme, but he noted this would not be possible for those working on the frontline.

Mr Sunak said: "Some charities are on the frontline of fighting the coronavirus and others provide critical services and support to people and communities.

"For them, shutting up shop at this moment would be to contravene their very purpose, their entire reason to exist.

"Those charities have never been more needed than they are now and they've never faced such a sudden fall in their funding."

A total of £750 million will be given out to the charity sector.

Of this, £370 million will go to smaller charities working with vulnerable people, including through a grant to the National Lottery Community Fund.

£60 million will be given to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The government will provide £360 million directly to charities providing essential services.

Up to £200 million of this will also help to support the UK's hospices, with the rest going to organisations such as St John's Ambulance and the Citizen's Advice Bureau.

Mr Sunak added: "Last night the BBC announced their Big Night In charity appeal on April 23.

"I can confirm that the government will match pound for pound whatever the public decide to donate, starting with at least £20 million to the National Emergencies Trust appeal."

Mr Sunak thanked the way communities and members of the public are coming together to fight the virus.

He added: "Charities embody this like no other organisation.

"Their lesson is that the simplest actions have the ability to change lives.

"It gives us hope, it makes us stronger and it reminds us we depend on each other."