The ‘must-dos’ for the first 100 days need to focus on getting the basics in place to ensure that the charities sector does not continue to be overlooked.
- Appoint a charities minister – The new Government must demonstrate its understanding that charities are essential to the functioning of society by appointing a specific minister for the charities sector. This new role must be protected and not watered down by giving them other random responsibilities such as loneliness, sport and tourism.
- Put charities at the heart of the economy – As the new government looks at the economy and how to do things differently, it should initiate conversations with the charities sector and the business community. It must recognise that charities are multi-million-pound organisations which have innovative ideas about how to achieve service provision. Their experience means they have a wealth of information about the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in society and they are free to act unencumbered by the interests of shareholders.
- Consider charities in all financial decisions – The new Government must consider how all financial decisions made in the first 100 days could impact the charities sector. It should proactively engage with the sector to seek views about whether to go ahead with proposals to change the National Minimum Wage, review business rates, streamline Gift Aid and review the funding of local government.
- Focus on essential services – The new Government must focus on solving some of the big issues of the day, and see the charities sector as part of the solution. For example, there is an urgent need to find sustainable and innovative ways to deliver adult health and social care services, and this is going to require the involvement of charities, local government and social businesses.
- Give charities a voice – Recognition is needed from the new Government that charities should be given a voice. Allowing the charities sector to challenge ‘norms’ and reconsider the accepted ways of doing things could be immensely positive for society. With this in mind the new Labour Government should revisit the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 and ensure that funding, whether at central or local government level, does not come with a ‘gagging’ condition attached.