Tenterhooks over section 64 funding

Social care charities in years two and three of their section 64 funding were still waiting this week to find out whether they would receive this year’s allocation, following an apparent verbal assurance from the government.

Stephen Bubb, head of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, has had a verbal promise from a Department of Health official that section 64 commitments would be honoured.

The funding stream, worth £18m last year, including continuing grants, has been subject to uncertainty following a central DH budget review (Dismay for charities as government fails to guarantee ongoing grants, 13 April).

In an e-mail to voluntary sector agencies, Bubb said the department would write to grant recipients this week confirming their allocation.

But charities were still waiting as Community Care went to press, and a DH spokesperson refused to comment, citing local election rules.

Agencies that made new applications for section 64 funding for this financial year were also still awaiting a decision.