Millions need to be saved from core costs

Leaked memos claim Oxfam staff are facing further job cuts.

Memos from Danny Sriskandarajah, chief executive of Oxfam, said the charity was trying to plug a £16m hole in its accounts and that core costs would have to be reduced over the next two financial years.

It is reported that the aid group faces a £7m deficit in 2019/20 and a further £9m deficit in 2020/21 unless it takes action.

Oxfam had an income of £434.1m in the year to 31 March 2019.

Sriskandarajah took charge of Oxfam after Mark Goldring resigned in 2018. He said in the memo: “This will be a difficult time for many. I am acutely conscious that some of you have gone through multiple change processes before, including the most recent one in 2018, and I know the savings we have asked you to make have already added to your workload.”

It withdrew from government funding following the Haiti safeguarding scandal and can’t reapply until the UK government is satisfied with its safeguarding policies.

Around 100 jobs were cut by the aid organisation in 2018.

A statement from Oxfam said: “Our chief executive announced in April last year that Oxfam would be conducting a strategic review of our operations to ensure that we adapt to a changing world, live our values and are as effective as possible in fighting poverty over the next 10 years.

“The current challenging environment for charity fundraising and cost pressures mean we are accelerating that process, and we have informed staff. We are currently working through the details and will make an announcement in due course.”