Rishi Sunak heeds calls to help charities with £750m extra funding
I am very pleased about this. A recent fast moving survey we undertook in Lincolnshire revealed that 50% of respondents had lost 50% or more of their previous income and that over two third saw no prospect of anyone else picking up their clients. This help is clearly needed. Where I am more concerned is in the distribution of national funds through local bodies to support the sector. All those tasked with new largesse from third parties to distribute locally should be seeking direction from the health and car sector itself and should have very accountable systems for allocating funds.
The chancellor has announced £750m of extra funding for frontline charities across the UK, a move that is unlikely to go far enough to save some third sector organisations from collapse.
The announcement, made by Rishi Sunak in Downing Street’s daily coronavirus briefing, came after widespread calls to extend government financial help offered to small- and medium-sized businesses to the charity sector.
Some of the best-known national charities are in dire straits as revenue from charity shops and fundraising events dries up during the coronavirus lockdown. The Labour MP Stephen Doughty tweeted that the new funding fell well short of what was needed, pointing out that the cancellation of the London marathon alone cost the sector £66m.
The Treasury said on Wednesday that £360m would be directly allocated by government departments to charities providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the Covid-19 crisis.
Another £370m for small- and medium-sized charities would be available for community organisations that are providing services such as delivering food, essential medicines and providing financial advice. Of this, £60m will be allocated through the Barnett formula to those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The government will also match donations made to the National Emergencies Trust as part of the BBC’s Big Night In fundraiser later this month, pledging a minimum of £20m.