“We already run some of the smallest organizations in the county, having made every possible saving in recent years to cope with an increasingly difficult financial environment,” Ms Reid said.

“In recent times, we have been vocal about the challenges our sector is already facing, with growing demand and such complexity.

“Funding cuts and reduced public donations, escalating costs and volunteer shortages have already led to the closure of charities in Suffolk over the past 12 months.”

The government uses NICs to pay for benefits and help fund the NHS.

A UK Treasury spokesperson said its charity tax scheme – including business rate exemptions and tax relief for organizations and their donors – was “worth just over £6 billion for the year tax until April 2024.

“We have protected small charities and businesses by more than doubling the Employment Allowance to £10,500, meaning more than half of them with NIC obligations either earn or see no change next year,” they said.

“Charities will still be able to claim employer NIC reliefs, including where they are eligible, and will still be exempt from business rates.”