US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle donated 6.5% of their income to charity last year, according to their income tax return released by the White House.

The Obamas gave $172,050 (£118,000) to charities. Their adjusted gross income was almost $2.66m (£1.84m). The Obamas’ largest donations were $25,000 (£17,250) each, to CARE and the United Negro College Fund. They donated to 37 organisations in total.

US Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill donated less than 1% of their income to charity, their tax return showed. The Bidens figures revealed a $1,885 (£1,300) charitable-tax deduction, while their adjusted gross income last year was $269,256 (£185,821).

In reference to the Bidens’ giving, a statement from the White House said, "The charitable donations claimed by the Bidens on their tax returns are not the sum of their annual contributions to charity. They donate to their church, and they contribute to their favorite causes with their time, as well as their checkbooks."