# Sector bodies urge Chancellor to protect non-profits from impact of Coronavirus outbreak in Budget

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/03/10/sector-bodies-urge-chancellor-to-protect-non-profits-from-impact-of-coronavirus-outbreak-in-budget/
- Published: 2020-03-10T16:51:17+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Ahead of tomorrow’s Budget (11 March), sector bodies including ACEVO, Charity 
Finance Group and the Institute of Fundraising have written a joint letter to Chancellor
of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak asking him to implement emergency measures to support
non-profits during the Coronavirus outbreak.**

The letter, sent today, 10 March, says that the charity sector has a “critical role
to play in helping the government and the wider population meet the potential crisis,
but needs support, communication and engagement to do so effectively”.

The co-signatories ask for the Chancellor to apply to the sector the same approach
in terms of the extra financial help promised for individuals and businesses should
measures against the virus mean they become out of pocket or face cash flow problems.

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The letter urges the Chancellor to support the sector through measures that should
include:

 * Immediately establishing an emergency fund to support charities at risk of insolvency
   or significantly lower levels of fundraised or trading income due to economic
   disruption
 * Implementing immediate short-term tax deferments or temporary waivers (for example
   VAT) to help charities experiencing cash flow crises to stay solvent.
 * Explicitly including charities, social enterprises and other social organisations
   in any economic stimulus packages and measures offered to support the business
   sector as part of the Government’s response to Coronavirus or its aftermath and
   to consider the potential longer term impacts of the short term hiatus.

The co-signatories state that their organisations will be closely monitoring the
situation from their members’ perspectives, doing what they can to support them,
and passing on relevant insight to the government. They also offer to meet with 
the government to discuss the proposals.

The letter is signed by:

 * Vicky Browning, Chief Executive, ACEVO
 * Carol Mack, Chief Executive, ACF
 * Emma Chaplin, Chief Executive, AIM
 * John Low, Chief Executive, CAF
 * Caron Bradshaw, Chief Executive, CFG
 * David Holmes, Chair, Children England
 * Debra Allcock Tyler, Chief Executive, DSC
 * Peter Lewis, Chief Executive, IoF
 * Jane Ide, Chief Executive, NAVCA
 * Karl Wilding, Chief Executive, NCVO
 * Rita Chadha, Chief Executive Officer, SCC

It can be read in full on [the Charity Finance Group’s site](https://www.cfg.org.uk/coronavirus_letter).

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