LIB DEMS CONDEMN SNP'S CUTS TO VOLUNTARY SECTOR

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 17th Apr 2008

Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Robert Brown MSP condemned the SNP for its damaging service cuts to voluntary organisations and urged MSPs to support Liberal Democrat suggestions to improve the funding framework for the voluntary sector.

Speaking after a debate about support for the voluntary sector, Mr Brown said:

"Day by day, the SNP Government's actions, its unravelling "historic" Concordat and its desire for quick fixes are causing more and more grief in the voluntary sector and undoing the good work of the last 8 years. This SNP Government cannot indefinitely avoid responsibility for the extra burdens they are placing on the Voluntary Sector, and the damaging service cuts flowing from the SNP funding settlement.

"Now, more than ever, a long term view for the voluntary sector is necessary. This is why Liberal Democrats are demanding a review of the SNP's Concordat with local government after a year and a more stable, long term approach to funding for the voluntary sector."

Ends.

Notes to Editors:

The text of the Liberal Democrat amendment is below:

S3M-1706.1 Robert Brown: Support for the Voluntary Sector-As an amendment to motion (S3M-1706) in the name of Elaine Murray, insert at end "recognises the problems facing the voluntary sector caused by short-term funding and re-tendering; believes that there is a pressing need to review the system to provide more stable funding for the sector including longer-term contracts and a national contracts framework; notes the establishment of the voluntary sector compact under the last administration and calls for a revitalised compact between local government and the voluntary sector; believes that this compact must ensure greater dialogue between councils and voluntary groups as to the operation of the local government Concordat and the single outcome agreements, and calls for a review of the operation of the Concordat including its key outcomes and performance indicators following the first year of its implementation."

To read the debate in full please click on the link below.

Related Link:

Voluntary Sector.