# Sector leaders call for more government support ahead of March Budget

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/01/21/sector-leaders-call-for-more-government-support-ahead-of-march-budget/
- Published: 2021-01-21T10:10:14+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**With the March Budget fast approaching and the charity sector still under increasing
pressure from all sides as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, sector leaders are
once again calling on the government to provide greater financial support.**

 

While the government’s £750m package of support announced in March 2020 was welcomed
by charity leaders, against the predicted £10bn income loss for the year it was 
not enough to ensure they and other not-for-profit organisations could continue 
to deliver their essential services.

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The signatories lead civil society organisations, representing social change organisations
of all sizes across the four nations, working in diverse areas including disability,
homelessness, social exclusion, health, faith, community infrastructure, fundraising
and funders.

 

Amongst others they include: Debra Allcock Tyler, Chief Executive, [Directory of Social Change](https://www.dsc.org.uk/);
Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive, [Locality](https://locality.org.uk/); Dr Charlotte
Augst, Chief Executive, National Voices; James Banks Chief Executive, London Funders,
Caron Bradshaw, Chief Executive, Charity Finance Group, and Vicky Browning, CEO,
Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations.

 

As well as asking for an emergency support package, [the representation](https://www.cfg.org.uk/userfiles/Joint%20charity%20sector%20bodies%20submission%20to%20Budget%202021.pdf)
is also reiterating the sector’s [Five Point Plan](https://www.cfg.org.uk/civil_society_five_point_plan)
which sets out specific measures as to how the government can support civil society
in the medium and longer-term:

 

1. A targeted programme of support to succeed the coronavirus job retention scheme.

 

2. The introduction of the Gift Aid Emergency Relief Package

 

3. Repurposing and accessing stranded funds to support charity services

 

4. Ensuring effective and efficient distribution of the Shared Prosperity Fund

 

5. Strengthening the long-term financial sustainability of local authorities by 
increasing core government funding

 

Sector leaders state:

 

> “…We ask you to deliver on your claim to make changes when necessary to ensure
> that this Budget delivers for social change organisations and the unique role 
> they occupy in our economy to deliver public benefit.
> “Our sector is essential both to the immediate response to Covid-19 and to the
> medium and longer-term ambition to level up and build back better. Our nation 
> needs our charities and social change organisations to play their part and your
> Budget must enable them to do so to.”

 

They also urge Treasury to meet with them to discuss the proposals in more detail
and a specific financial sum which would form part of an emergency package.

 * **[Civil Society Group urges Chancellor to support financial health of sector ahead of Spring Budget](https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/02/01/civil-society-group-urges-chancellor-to-support-financial-health-of-sector-ahead-of-spring-budget/)**(
   1 February 2024)
 * **[Charity Finance Group reveals ‘bolder, more inclusive’ branding](https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/07/26/charity-finance-group-reveals-bolder-more-inclusive-branding/)**(
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 * **[Mixed response to Home Office plans from Charity Finance Directors' Group](https://fundraising.co.uk/2003/12/03/mixed-response-home-office-plans-charity-finance-directors039-group/)**(
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