Cut in section 64 grant allocation

The Department of Health has finally revealed which charities have been successful in this year’s section 64 funding applications but the size of the pot is down 3.5 per cent on last year.

The amount allotted to the programme, which supports health and social care projects, has fallen from 17.85m in 2005-6 to 17.2m in 2006-7.

New care services minister Ivan Lewis apologised for the delay, which stretched from January, when allocations were expected to be announced, saying it was caused by a departmental review of all budgets.

Organisations receiving major awards include the National Centre for Independent Living, which is being given 130,000 to allow it to continue its information service).

The Mental Health Foundation received a grant for a programme using exercise to tackle depression.
Chief executive Andrew McCulloch said the DH would have to give organisations flexibility over when they started projects because of the long delay in receiving the grants.

A DH spokesperson said that although the department’s central budget review had resulted in a “slightly reduced” section 64 allocation, the average grant in 2006-07 was 47,000, compared with 38,000 in 2005-06.

The DH also announced 6.7m of grants for local health and social care projects from its Opportunities for Volunteering Scheme.