ACTIVISTS hit out yesterday at a growing “climate of fear” in voluntary organisations that sees funding used to effectively gag opposition to austerity policies.

Grassroots umbrella group the National Coalition for Independent Action (NCIA) said recent events — such as Oxfam’s referral to the Charity Commission for speaking out on poverty — reflected a situation “getting worse just at the point when it needs to get better.”

Academic Mike Aiken highlighted cases of “subtle and menacing” bullying by political figures and contractual clauses silencing charities in return for funds.