The Chancellor has just announced a package of measures to support the charity sector. He commented that civil society is one of our greatest strengths and our social fabric. He is right.
I have been speaking to local charities and I know many are struggling due to cessation of donations, fundraising events being cancelled and the fact that many charities live frugally anyway. Ive worked in the charity sector and understand the pressures so I have long championed the need to support our civil society sector.
Please also note that this package includes £200m for hospices. I and many other MPs have been seeking support in this area. I know many of you value the work that our incredible Gloucestershire hospices do for people in their care and families.
An outline of the measures are below. These are in addition to the other financial support and job protection measures already announced that are available to the charity sector. Similarly, it is in addition to funding that is already available to support homeless people.
When I have more information about implementation and funding applications, I will let you know and do not hesitate to get in touch if you are a Stroud charity who has questions: [email protected]
• £750 million funding for the charity sector.
• Of this, £370m will support small, local charities working with vulnerable people.
• In England, the support will be provided through organisations like the National Lottery Communities Fund.
• £360m directly for charities providing essential services and supporting vulnerable people as we battle the coronavirus.
• Up to £200m of those grants will support hospices.
• The rest will go to organisations like the St Johns’ Ambulance and the CAB as well as to charities supporting vulnerable children, victims of domestic abuse or disabled people.
• BBC Big Night In – April 23rd – will see the government match £ for £ whatever the public decides to donate starting with at least £20m to the National Emergencies Trust appeal.
Charities are often the people who win the trust of vulnerable people and deliver much needed services in our communities when nobody else can. They are far better than councils, local government officers, elected officials and central government at knowing what is needed on the ground. I also know that many of you will volunteer for charities, fundraise or work for them.
Over and above the money being made available in these difficult times, I am pleased to hear the Chancellor of the Exchequer carefully take the time to recognise the work of charities and their worth in his speech.
Rishi ended by saying: ‘At this time when many are hurting and tired and confined, we need the gentleness of charity in our lives. It gives us hope. It makes us stronger. It reminds us: we depend on each other.’
Hear Hear. If I was in parliament – I would be waving my order paper right now.
