Groups given rescue package by Blunkett

The home secretary has again stepped in to save a number of
voluntary organisations from closure, it was announced this
week.

For the second year running David Blunkett has provided
£500,000 for councils for voluntary service and volunteer
bureaux hit by local authority cuts.

Blunkett told the Voluntary Action conference in Sheffield last
week that voluntary organisations were the “lifeblood” of
communities.

“But it is not just down to government,” he said. “Local
authorities and agencies need to look at how to do more to fund
small voluntary and community organisations.”

The money will help groups until the Home Office’s active community
unit publishes its capacity review. This will set out plans for
spending the money allocated in the Treasury cross-cutting review
in July.

Kevin Curley, chief executive of the National Association of
Councils for Voluntary Service, said the fund was “vital”, adding
that “shortsighted” councils often chose to protect front-line
services instead of infrastructure bodies.