Oral Answers to Questions

Julie Hilling Excerpts

Monday 28th February 2011 Commons Chamber

[Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test) (Lab)]

1. What assessment he has made of the likely effects on the community and voluntary sector of reductions in levels of Government funding for local authorities.

[Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab)]

8. What assessment he has made of the likely effects on the community and voluntary sector of reductions in levels of Government funding for local authorities.

[Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab)]

18. What assessment he has made of the likely effects on the community and voluntary sector of reductions in levels of Government funding for local authorities.

--- Later in debate ---

[Greg Clark]

I have made it very clear that councils should not cut disproportionately. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will take the opportunity to meet his local council. I understand that the leader of the council has invited every voluntary organisation to come to see what other opportunities there are for them within the council. I also hope that if he does go to the council, he will reflect on the fact that every Conservative and Liberal member has taken a 5% cut in their allowances, but Labour members have refused. When he is in city hall, I hope that he will get his friends there to make their contribution to the voluntary sector.

[Julie Hilling]

The Government have completely cut the grant to vinolved—a youth volunteering project—cut the grant settlement to Bolton council by £60 million, which will amount to 25%, and last year cut £1.3 million from Bolton’s grant to the voluntary and community sector. Bolton council is prioritising funding to the voluntary and community sector, but cannot work miracles with no money. Why is the Minister not listening to and supporting the voluntary and community sector?