This latest NCVO report looks at the implications of ongoing austerity, and estimates the scale of cuts affecting the sector. If current plans go ahead, the sector will receive £1.7bn less funding from government in 2017/18 than in 2010/1
Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre
We are working closely with leading VCS equalities organisations in the North West to identify the issues, concerns and implications, for equalities work, groups and communities, of The Localism Bill and the Government's localism agenda.
A summary of very early findings from a NWIP-commissioned piece of research into Equality, Big Society and Localism (which draws out some of the implications of the localism agenda) recently made headline news in New Start magazine:
A great deal of work to explore the equality implications of Localism, in the North West, has been driven by 1NW. 1NW have been working closely with BME VCS groups in the region and have published case studies and a number of significant statements about the impact of localism on equality which include a to the CLG select committee inquiry into Localism and a short pamphlet called: Big Society and Localism: Open to All?
The following is a short summary of 1NW's policy position about localism:
Big Society and Localism should be rooted in equality, human rights and equal participation, which is inclusive of all communities. For localism to be inclusive, we must…
VSNW is also working with NWIP members (in particular: 1NW, Disability Infrastructure Partnership / Merseyside Disability Federation, and the Lesbian and Gay Foundation) together with the Directory for Social Change to examine the evidence of the impact of localism and Big Society and begin to develop proposals for an appropriate social justice framework.
The Government has published Impact Assessments on the Localism Bill which are available here:
Regional Voices, of which VSNW is a partner, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded funding from the Department of Health (Innovation, Excellence and Strategic Development Fund) to support voluntary and community sector influence on health and wellbeing boards
The Department for Business Innovation & Skills has published the findings of a research study on European Social Fund delivery with the aim of informing thinking around the next round of programmes
Healthwatch England was formed in April 2013 and is the independent consumer champion for health and social care in England. They have now published a list of local Healthwatch, including those for the North West
The Local Government Chronicle held a webinar to explore the essential elements to ensure local healthwatch organisations are effective in scrutinising local health services and provide a voice for communities. Regional Voices, of which VSNW are a part, are mentioned.
An analysis has been published by NAVCA of the 74 areas that received Transforming Local Infrastructure and provides a national perspective, and allows the sharing of information and ideas
