NCVO Responds to Independence Report

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has today responded to the Independence Panel's report Protecting Independence: the Voluntary Sector in 2012.

Sir Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive of NCVO, said: "This report is to be commended for taking a fresh look at what have been longstanding issues for the voluntary sector, and we are pleased that the panel has taken many points from NCVO's submission on board.

The government is not getting as much as it could from its relationships with the sector, because it is not engaging voluntary organisations early enough in the design of its services, as evidenced by the Work Programme.  If it did this across the board, this would deliver better outcomes for all concerned and strengthen the sector's independence.

Independence is the bedrock for public support, and it is particularly vital that this is maintained and strengthened in these challenging economic times.  NCVO will continue to feed into the panel's work during 2012."

For more information contact Mandy Murphy in NCVO's press office on 07714 243 942 or email mandy.murphy@ncvo-vol.org.uk.

Notes to editors:

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) www.ncvo-vol.org.uk is the umbrella body for the voluntary sector in England, with sister councils in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.  NCVO has over 8,400 members, ranging from large national bodies to community groups, volunteer centres, and development agencies working at a local level. With over 280,000 staff and over 13 million volunteers working for our members, we represent and support almost half the voluntary sector workforce.