09/09/10

By Andrew Holt

A new poll released today by ACEVO, the leading representative body for charity leaders, reveals that four out of five members of the public are concerned about how cuts to public services will affect the most vulnerable members of society.

This is why, in a new report by ACEVO and in joint letters (signed by 370 leaders) to the Chancellor and the chief secretary to the Treasury, charity leaders are calling on Government to establish a new "Fairness Panel" to ensure that the most vulnerable are protected throughout the process of cuts to public services.

Whilst the public are keen to protect the vulnerable, there is also a clear public consensus on the need to cut public spending.

This is where charities come in.

The public see charities as having a key role to play in protecting the most vulnerable but are clear that they want this role to be delivered in partnership with the state( with 76% of the public believing that the majority of money needed to fund services to protect the vulnerable should come from Government).

According to ACEVO the new "Fairness Panel " would not only play a key role in holding Government to account but also explore ways in which Government and charities could ensure that, wherever possible, they work together in partnership to “square the circle”; to cut spending whilst supporting the most vulnerable.

Speaking on the findings of the poll and ACEVO’s report entitled Squaring the circle Stephen Bubb, CEO of ACEVO, said: “The public are rightly very concerned about what cuts could mean for the most vulnerable in the months ahead. They are also clear that they will be looking to both charities and Government to work together to protect them at a time when difficult decisions need to be made.

“So far Government have made welcome pledges around putting fairness at the heart of decision making around cuts and ensuring those most at need are protected.

"But unless those closest to the most vulnerable, charities, are allowed a real platform in decision making, we are in real danger of seeing those most in need shut off from/ unable to access the support they so desperately need."

PDF Letter to Danny Alexander from Stephen Bubb HERE

PDF Letter to George Osborne from Stephen Bubb HERE

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