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The big society means little when charities are suffering The 'big society' means little when charities are suffering
(35 minutes later)
When the coalition government was formed in 2010, charities were well aware that tough times lay ahead. Its plan to tackle the deficit meant spending cuts that would undoubtedly affect us and our beneficiaries. We all had to face the fact that charities would have to do more with less if they were to meet rising demand for their work while adapting to the first fall in the sector's income in a decade.When the coalition government was formed in 2010, charities were well aware that tough times lay ahead. Its plan to tackle the deficit meant spending cuts that would undoubtedly affect us and our beneficiaries. We all had to face the fact that charities would have to do more with less if they were to meet rising demand for their work while adapting to the first fall in the sector's income in a decade.
However, despite this knowledge, charity leaders cautiously welcomed the new government's emphasis on the importance of our role in its plans. The concept of the "big society", described by the prime minister as his "great passion", was promoted as central to both social and economic recovery. The government promised wide-ranging reform of public services, with greater opportunities for charities and social enterprises – essential to mitigate the impact of spending cuts on the most vulnerable. As the prime minister correctly argued: "It's not that we can't afford to modernise, it's that we can't afford not to modernise."However, despite this knowledge, charity leaders cautiously welcomed the new government's emphasis on the importance of our role in its plans. The concept of the "big society", described by the prime minister as his "great passion", was promoted as central to both social and economic recovery. The government promised wide-ranging reform of public services, with greater opportunities for charities and social enterprises – essential to mitigate the impact of spending cuts on the most vulnerable. As the prime minister correctly argued: "It's not that we can't afford to modernise, it's that we can't afford not to modernise."
Since those early days, however, the picture has begun to change. It would be wrong not to credit the government for some notable achievements: the creation of the social investment bank, Big Society Capital; reforms to Gift Aid and inheritance tax relief that promoted charitable giving; the creation, via the Localism Act, of new community rights that allow people to take control over local services and assets. But many charity leaders now wonder if the coalition's rhetoric has been matched by action. On public service reform, the pace of change has slowed to an imperceptible crawl. There is enormous potential for charities to deliver more effective public services on behalf of the state, making use of their close links to communities, their understanding of the needs and circumstances of their beneficiaries and their capacity for innovation.Since those early days, however, the picture has begun to change. It would be wrong not to credit the government for some notable achievements: the creation of the social investment bank, Big Society Capital; reforms to Gift Aid and inheritance tax relief that promoted charitable giving; the creation, via the Localism Act, of new community rights that allow people to take control over local services and assets. But many charity leaders now wonder if the coalition's rhetoric has been matched by action. On public service reform, the pace of change has slowed to an imperceptible crawl. There is enormous potential for charities to deliver more effective public services on behalf of the state, making use of their close links to communities, their understanding of the needs and circumstances of their beneficiaries and their capacity for innovation.
However, this potential remains largely untapped. In areas such as health, social care funding and offender rehabilitation, reform is patchy, while projects such as the Work Programme have been hobbled by design flaws that have forced many charities to withdraw from it. Grand ideas set out in the coalition's first flush of youth, such as a "right to choice" for service users, have been quietly dropped altogether.However, this potential remains largely untapped. In areas such as health, social care funding and offender rehabilitation, reform is patchy, while projects such as the Work Programme have been hobbled by design flaws that have forced many charities to withdraw from it. Grand ideas set out in the coalition's first flush of youth, such as a "right to choice" for service users, have been quietly dropped altogether.
The result of this inaction is that the prime minister's warnings about the impact of cuts without accompanying reforms have been proven to be exactly right. The most vulnerable have borne the brunt of austerity, creating rising demand for the support offered by charities. Yet many charities themselves have faced crippling cuts, with 50% of local authorities admitting to making disproportionate cuts to charity funding in their area. What's more, charities are now being discouraged from applying proper scrutiny and challenge to the decisions of central and local government.The result of this inaction is that the prime minister's warnings about the impact of cuts without accompanying reforms have been proven to be exactly right. The most vulnerable have borne the brunt of austerity, creating rising demand for the support offered by charities. Yet many charities themselves have faced crippling cuts, with 50% of local authorities admitting to making disproportionate cuts to charity funding in their area. What's more, charities are now being discouraged from applying proper scrutiny and challenge to the decisions of central and local government.
Consequently I wrote to the prime minister last week asking him to take a few simple steps to help restore the relationship between the coalition and the voluntary sector. I would like to see the government reaffirm its commitment to charitable activity, for example by increasing its support for payroll giving. I would also like to see a push for genuinely independent scrutiny of major spending decisions to assess their impact on the most vulnerable. And crucially, the prime minister and his government must find their way again on public service reform. If he's looking for a place to start, I would suggest committing to full implementation of the Dilnot recommendations on social care funding in this parliament, to provide security to millions in their old age.Consequently I wrote to the prime minister last week asking him to take a few simple steps to help restore the relationship between the coalition and the voluntary sector. I would like to see the government reaffirm its commitment to charitable activity, for example by increasing its support for payroll giving. I would also like to see a push for genuinely independent scrutiny of major spending decisions to assess their impact on the most vulnerable. And crucially, the prime minister and his government must find their way again on public service reform. If he's looking for a place to start, I would suggest committing to full implementation of the Dilnot recommendations on social care funding in this parliament, to provide security to millions in their old age.
Finally, let's not forget that our charitable sector is a major employer with a big part to play in tackling youth unemployment and encouraging growth. Instead of cutting charities, they should be used to spearhead help and support for the most vulnerable and to build stronger communities. Yes, we like the idea of a bigger and stronger society. We are still up for it. Is the coalition government?Finally, let's not forget that our charitable sector is a major employer with a big part to play in tackling youth unemployment and encouraging growth. Instead of cutting charities, they should be used to spearhead help and support for the most vulnerable and to build stronger communities. Yes, we like the idea of a bigger and stronger society. We are still up for it. Is the coalition government?