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The BIG society and the Third Sector

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“We are very serious about the Big Society and the voluntary and community sector is at the heart of it, but we are all trying to do more with less and we are all trying to seek efficiencies” Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society

What is the Big Society?
The Big Society is the Government’s vision to empower local people and communities. David Cameron said it is a serious reform “to take power away from politicians and give it to people”. The coalition government says that the third sector has a key role to play. Francis Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office: “We will give more power to charities and social enterprise and the individuals they serve.”

The government priorities affecting the third sector:

  • Making it easier to set up and run a charity or social enterprise by cutting red tape
  • Helping charities and social enterprises to compete, bid and deliver public services.
  • Encouraging small neighbourhood groups, through a a new generation of community organisers
  • Strengthening the independence of the sector through social investment
  • Encouraging volunteering and involvement in social action – this includes the launch of a national ‘Big Society Day’ and making regular community involvement a key element of key civil service staff appraisals
  • Increased access to government-held data, such as monthly crime statistics and extending the powers of local government 

The lowdown so far
Click here for the lowdown of what is happening so far - a neat summary of the governments policies and the budget announced in June 2010 with its impact on the sector.

The official responses from the national umbrella bodies 
National umbrella bodies say the budget will place a major burden on charities and voluntary organisations. The Charity Tax Group say the rise in VAT will cost sector up to £1.5b in irrecoverable tax and are lobbying for all charities to be exempt from the increase.  Acevo said that the spending cuts will hit frontline services and small charities, whilst costs will rise due to the increase in VAT. Stephen Bubb, Chief executive, said: "At a time when the government wants more services to be delivered by third sector organisations... charities are being walloped with a big rise in VAT that puts them at a massive competitive disadvantage when bidding to deliver new services."

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