The government has announced £100m for local charities and community organisations most affected by the cost of living crisis.
At this week's Spring budget, the Chancellor announced £100m of support to help local charities and community organisations who have been most affected by the cost of living crisis, including some funding to help with energy efficiency. This comes after our continued lobbying of the government to provide more support for our sector as it faces increased demand and costs. We'll now be working closely with the department to ensure the money gets out of the door as quickly and effectively as possible.
Other important new announcements for the community sector in England included:
- Over £4.1bn by 2027/28 to fund 30 free hours of childcare per week for children aged nine months to three years. In addition, £204m will be provided this year to "substantially increase" the hourly funding rate paid to providers alongside an increase in staff-to-child ratios from 1:4 to 1:5 for two-year-olds.
- Over £60m of support for public swimming pools facing immediate energy cost pressures.
- A £10m grant fund for suicide prevention VCSE organisations
- Over £400m to rollout new "Levelling Up Partnerships" for regeneration in 20 areas between now and 2025.
- A further £200m for 16 regeneration projects to begin this year for quicker delivery in targeted ‘left-behind’ places.
Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Locality, said:
“We are delighted by the Chancellor’s announcement of £100m of support for community organisations and charities. The community sector’s call for targeted support to deal with the cost-of-living crisis has been listened to in Westminster and we are grateful for the commitment of the Civil Society Minister in making this happen.
This support will help alleviate the growing pressure on many frontline community organisations – the very organisations who are providing food banks, warm hubs, mental health and welfare support to those worst hit by the cost-of-living crisis. Many of these organisations have been struggling to survive, creaking under the weight of growing demand and soaring bills.
We look forward to working with the Government to ensure this vital funding reaches the people and places who need it most. It is crucial that arrangements are put in place as quickly as possible with a straightforward and simple process for organisations to access support.”
