09/03/2010 – Charities are not here to deliver services on the cheap
Addressing a mass meeting organised by the union Unite at the Houses of Parliament today, Angela Smith Minister for the Third Sector said that the Government does not regard the third sector as a way to deliver public services "on the cheap".
The meeting coincides with the release of new Unite research - ‘Unsustainable the impact of funding on Not for Profit workforce.’
The survey shows that the type of contracts now awarded to the voluntary sector, that is, short term with the emphasis on cost-cutting is badly affecting the sector’s 750,000 employees and the services they deliver to clients and service users.
Surveyed members talked of frustration at the short-term nature of contracts, low staff morale, high levels of stress and anxiety, with experienced colleagues leaving as a result of the pressure as well as reducing and stretching services for vulnerable clients.
Smith agreed that it is important for the Government to understand the impact of contracting on the sector's workforce.