NCVO calls on voluntary groups to exploit election fever

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) is calling on voluntary and community groups to take advantage of Britain's election fever and ensure their priorities are on the agenda for local and national candidates.

While there are stricter rules about charities being non-partisan and non-political in the run-up to a general election, the NCVO is reminding groups that they still can - and should - campaign to ensure their voices are heard.

Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, said: "This is a key period for charities to raise awareness among would-be MPs or councillors about their beneficiaries' needs and ensure they are on the political agenda.

"Of course organisations need to remain non-partisan but this does not mean they cannot approach and speak to candidates for local councils or parliament.

"At NCVO we believe in the good society where we seek to reduce inequalities in income and there are opportunities for everyone. Our manifesto, which outlines our sector's needs from any future government, regardless of its political make-up, will form the basis of our talks with politicians at a national level.

"Now we are urging our members and other voluntary groups to challenge their own local and national candidates to ask them what they believe in and, more importantly, what they are going to do about it."

NCVO's manifesto calls for a series of measures to support the voluntary sector including a community day bank holiday, five days paid leave for volunteering, a Robin Hood Tax of about 0.05% on banking transactions to raise money for good causes, the legal right to protest and for people and communities to be able to take control of community assets more easily.

NCVO will also be speaking to would-be MPs about its successful What Do You Believe In? campaign, which already has the backing of the Prime Minister, David Cameron and Nick Clegg.

The campaign aims to encourage people to give time or money to causes they care about.

Charities are advised to follow guidance issued by the Charity Commission outlining what campaigning work they can and cannot do in the run-up to an election.