Voluntary groups bailed out by government

A £500,000 emergency fund has been set up by the government
to save a number of voluntary groups facing collapse because
councils cut their funding, writes Sally
Gillen.

The announcement of the money came with a warning that it would
be a one-off contribution, and that councils must not shirk their
responsibilities to the voluntary sector in future.

Home secretary David Blunkett emphasised the importance of the
voluntary sector in delivering secure communities. He said: “We are
having to provide emergency funding to save volunteer bureaux
community organisations because some councils are providing
insufficient support.”

He added that voluntary organisations were key to building
active communities, and “local authorities should look at how to do
more to fund voluntary and community organisations up and down the
country”.