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Equality services funds 'threat' Equality services funds 'threat'
(2 days later)
Equality groups claim jobs and services are under threat because the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)is to take a break from funding them.Equality groups claim jobs and services are under threat because the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)is to take a break from funding them.
The commission's grants programme is being deferred six months from April. The EHRC's grants programme is being deferred for six months from April.
Swansea Bay Racial Equality Council said the decision could cost them between £30,000 and £40,000.Swansea Bay Racial Equality Council said the decision could cost them between £30,000 and £40,000.
But the EHRC's director in Wales said it was made clear funding was for a year and organisations should not have expected automatic renewal.But the EHRC's director in Wales said it was made clear funding was for a year and organisations should not have expected automatic renewal.
Director of Swansea Bay Racial Equality Council, Taha Idris, told BBC Wales' Politics Show some of his organisation's work would suffer without the funding.Director of Swansea Bay Racial Equality Council, Taha Idris, told BBC Wales' Politics Show some of his organisation's work would suffer without the funding.
"We may actually have to, unfortunately, lay people off if we can't find the funds to be able to carry out the sort of work that we intended to carry out next year," he said."We may actually have to, unfortunately, lay people off if we can't find the funds to be able to carry out the sort of work that we intended to carry out next year," he said.
Wider remitWider remit
The Valleys Regional Equality Council (VALREC) and Cardiff and Vale Coalition of Disabled People have also expressed concern about the funding break.The Valleys Regional Equality Council (VALREC) and Cardiff and Vale Coalition of Disabled People have also expressed concern about the funding break.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) came into being in October 2007, incorporating the functions of the former Equal Opportunities Commission, Commission for Racial Equality, and Disability Rights Commission.The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) came into being in October 2007, incorporating the functions of the former Equal Opportunities Commission, Commission for Racial Equality, and Disability Rights Commission.
But it has a wider remit than just those three groups, which adds such elements as sexual orientation and belief.But it has a wider remit than just those three groups, which adds such elements as sexual orientation and belief.
It is to defer its next round of grants for six months to consult on a new funding strategy.It is to defer its next round of grants for six months to consult on a new funding strategy.
EHRC National Director for Wales Kate Bennett said: "There's an awful lot of ideas about starting new initiatives in relation to equality, of new players coming into the piece who already aren't funded, so its a very, very difficult thing to give everybody the funding that they need."EHRC National Director for Wales Kate Bennett said: "There's an awful lot of ideas about starting new initiatives in relation to equality, of new players coming into the piece who already aren't funded, so its a very, very difficult thing to give everybody the funding that they need."
Step into the breachStep into the breach
Ms Bennett added that when the commission made initial grants to organisations it was clear that they were for one year only, and that groups should not have expected that they would automatically receive money at the end of that year.Ms Bennett added that when the commission made initial grants to organisations it was clear that they were for one year only, and that groups should not have expected that they would automatically receive money at the end of that year.
Neath Port Talbot Council Cabinet member Peter Rees and vice chair of Swansea Bay Racial Equality Council is adamant Welsh local authorities can't afford to step into the breach left by the EHRC by increasing core funding to equality organisations.Neath Port Talbot Council Cabinet member Peter Rees and vice chair of Swansea Bay Racial Equality Council is adamant Welsh local authorities can't afford to step into the breach left by the EHRC by increasing core funding to equality organisations.
Mr Rees said: "To say that they were going to have this gap in funding, I mean, its just incredible. I mean, this organisation should have sorted out that sort of funding arrangement long, long ago."Mr Rees said: "To say that they were going to have this gap in funding, I mean, its just incredible. I mean, this organisation should have sorted out that sort of funding arrangement long, long ago."
There has also been a further concern about the new commission's approach to funding.There has also been a further concern about the new commission's approach to funding.
When grants are available, they are accessible to groups across the UK.When grants are available, they are accessible to groups across the UK.
There is no separate funding pot for Wales, which some see as a major disadvantage for groups in Wales.There is no separate funding pot for Wales, which some see as a major disadvantage for groups in Wales.
Liberal Democrat AM for South Wales West Peter Black said it was unfair to pitch Welsh bodies in competition for funds with much larger organisations in English cities.Liberal Democrat AM for South Wales West Peter Black said it was unfair to pitch Welsh bodies in competition for funds with much larger organisations in English cities.
He added: "Those bodies in Birmingham, London and Manchester are acting to a London, Westminster agenda, whereas here in Wales we have our own agenda, we have our own distinctive equalities agenda."He added: "Those bodies in Birmingham, London and Manchester are acting to a London, Westminster agenda, whereas here in Wales we have our own agenda, we have our own distinctive equalities agenda."
Ms Bennett that in its initial year of funding, 7% of its grant aid came to organisations in Wales - a larger share than would have been proportional to the population.Ms Bennett that in its initial year of funding, 7% of its grant aid came to organisations in Wales - a larger share than would have been proportional to the population.