Charities call for support package

Ahead of next week’s charities’ financial crisis summit with third sector minister Kevin Brennan, the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (Acevo) has issued a 16-point plan to kickstart the debate about how government can best support the sector. In addition to a £500 million emergency aid package to help charities weather the recession, Acevo’s proposals include suggestions for developing the sector after the economic crisis. It is calling for ringfenced funding to make it easier for cash-strapped local authorities to fund a thriving third sector, the creation of a £250 million social investment bank to provide charities with easier access to money, and for government to further encourage third sector delivery of public services by producing a new action plan.