Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Wilson of Sedgefield Excerpts

Wednesday 21st March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab)]

3. What recent discussions he has had on the types of Government funding models available to the voluntary and community sector.

[Phil Wilson (Sedgefield) (Lab)]

13. What recent discussions he has had on the types of Government funding models available to the voluntary and community sector.

[The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr Nick Hurd)]

We want to help the voluntary and community sector to become more resilient by developing three pillars of funding: traditional giving, income from the state including more opportunities to deliver public service and a new pillar, the emerging market of social investment.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

I call Phil Wilson. No? Can I simply say—

[Phil Wilson]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

The hon. Gentleman is here. We are grateful. Good.

[Phil Wilson]

Question 13, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

No. The hon. Gentleman asks his supplementary question now, although it would have been helpful if there had been advance notification of the grouping to my office, which there was not. Very regrettable. The Minister must do better in the future, I am afraid.

[Phil Wilson]

A survey commissioned by Charity Bank has revealed that more than 20% of charities have suffered from the cancellation of contracts with businesses and Government bodies in the past year. Does the Minister agree that the Government’s refusal to recognise the needs and benefits of charities and voluntary organisations in policy formulation is preventing such organisations from getting vital funding to which they are entitled?

[Mr Hurd]

First, Mr Speaker, I apologise to you formally for that oversight by my office.

The hon. Gentleman makes an important point. Any commissioner in the public sector needs to engage with stakeholders in communities before commissioning services—not least in the voluntary and community sector, whose stakeholders tend to have, on the whole, a much better understanding of the needs of the people we are trying to help.