ACEVO Autumn Statement response

Commenting on the Autumn Statement, Sir Stephen Bubb said,

“The autumn statement contained a few small gifts for charities and social enterprises. The proposed social investment tax relief is an important step forward. The funding for military charities, discount on business rates for charity shops and resolution to simplify gift aid are very welcome.

On the big issues, however, neither the government nor the opposition have articulated a credible plan to work with thousands of charities and social enterprises. They need to listen carefully to the sector as reforms like the Chancellor’s newly announced welfare cap take hold. And with less than eighteen months to go until the general election we need a stronger vision on how government and the sector can work together to tackle unemployment, health and reoffending and make our public services work better.

It’s depressing that politicians don’t seem to realise that we are the answer to many of the challenges our public services and finances face. We have moved from “Big Society” to the forgotten sector.”