# Figures to the end of March show legacy income rose 15% in a year

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/06/29/figures-to-the-end-of-march-show-legacy-income-rose-15-in-a-year/
- Published: 2022-06-29T12:00:43+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**New data from Legacy Foresight’s Legacy Monitor benchmarking programme shows that
legacy income for its charities saw an annual increase of 15% in the 12 months preceding
the end of March 2022, reaching £1.67 billion.**

The increase follows a drop in 2021, also noted [in Smee & Ford’s figures](https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/06/16/highest-number-of-charities-named-in-wills-in-a-decade/),
caused largely by continued delays in probate administration and the effects of 
the pandemic.

The 82 UK charities in the benchmarking programme account for approximately 50% 
of the UK legacy market.

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The [Legacy Monitor](https://www.legacyforesight.co.uk/benchmarking/) also shows
that the number of bequests received reached a peak over the first three months 
of 2022, with an 18% increase on the previous quarter.

The charities surveyed experienced a 6% rise in the average value of residual gifts,
which Legacy Foresight says was likely supported by rising house prices. Latest 
ONS data suggests that UK house prices were 11% higher in February 2022, compared
to 12 months before.

![](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2022/06/image003.png)

However, Legacy Foresight warns that the deepening cost-of-living crisis in the 
UK poses a notable risk to legacy income over the medium-term. Rising interest rates
could have a significant impact on property prices in 2023 and 2024, resulting in
a knock-on effect on residual bequest values.

Jon Franklin, Economist at Legacy Foresight, said:

> “Following a turbulent three years, legacy income has made a strong recovery to
> fall back in line with its long-term trends. However, whilst the number of bequests
> to charities is currently high, it still remains lower than we might have expected
> given the large numbers of deaths seen during the pandemic.
>  
> “Prospects for legacy income continues to look positive for the next 12 months.
> Although, with interest rates on the rise, there is some concern over the impact
> to property prices and whether the cost-of-living crisis will have an effect on
> the legacy market.”

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