Policy

We work with our members and other civil society organisations to develop NCVO's policy position and to influence government and other agencies.

The main areas we work on are:

• Charity Law and Regulation
• Community engagement
• Funding
• Local Government
• Public services
• Climate change
• Independence and Values
  

If you would like a more detailed account of the way in which our policy work operates take a look at our policy blog, which describes how NCVO’s policy work can make a difference to your organisation. You can also read through our detailed policy and consultation responses to government proposals.

We also offer a range of resources to support you in your own policy and campaigning work.

Contact us

Send us an email or if your question is in a specific area read about us to find the best person to help you.

What's new

April 2012

Response to Cabinet Office Consultation on Register of Lobbyists

The NCVO response to the Register of Lobbyists Consultation has been submitted. If you would like to discuss this response please email Chloe Stables, NCVO Parliamentary and Media Manager or call 020 7520 2474.

Read the full response. (PDF 87KB)

November 2011

Response to the proposed changes of the Big Lottery Fund's policy directions

On 18 November 2011, NCVO reponded to the consultation on the proposed new Big Lottery Fund Policy directions. The proposed guidance is much more light touch than before yet there are a number of concerns relating to:

• The percentage of BIG funding that goes to the voluntary and community sector
• Protecting funding from being the capital of the social investment market
• The definition of social enterprises
• The importance of the principle of additonality

Read the full consultation response. (PDF 26KB)

Read previous consultation responses.

November 2011

After the riots: Evidence from the Voluntary and Community Sector on the causes of the 2011 riots

Following a summit we convened in September 2011, which brought together over 100 people from charities, community groups, young people’s services and government to reflect on the causes of the disturbances and the best ways to respond, the report makes a series of recommendations to government, the sector and the media to lessen the risk of events repeating themselves. Some of the recommendations, drawn from feedback from NCVO members, include:

• Government should invest in structured job creation programmes, particularly for young people and apprenticeships, working with employers to fund or match fund placements or offer a range of other incentives including tax breaks as appropriate.
• The voluntary and community sector has an important role to play in speaking out and constructively challenging decisions and practices, including those of government and the wider public sector.
• When reporting on the riots, the media must ensure accuracy and proportionality, and balance negative news stories with reports on what community groups are doing to attempt to alleviate these problems.

Read the full report (PDF 866KB) or see what Sir Stuart Etherington has to say about the report.

October 2011

Best practice guidance for local authorities and the VCS

In March 2011, NCVO, NAVCA and ACEVO wrote to local authorities asking them for their views on how local authorities and the voluntary sector can work best together in the current economic climate. We received responses from just over a quarter of England's district and county councils and these have formed the basis for our guidance on how all councils can do their bit to alleviate the strain on the sector by putting resources in place to help affected organisations adapt to changes to their funding. The guidance makes a series of recommendations and includes a number of case studies of good practice for reference.

• Read the best practice guidance (PDF 168KB)
• Read the joint letter to local authorities.

VAT charge on shared services acts as a massive barrier to collaboration

NCVO, Charity Finance Directors’ Group (CFDG), Universities UK and the National Housing Federation are warning HM Revenue and Customs that the VAT charge on shared services acts as a massive barrier to collaboration, preventing efficiency savings and more effective working arrangements. HMRC are currently consulting on the implementation of a cost sharing exemption available to charities which is mandatory under European law. The joint consultation response warns that:

• in its proposed form the exemption is likely to be of little use to the charity sector, particularly smaller organisations who in many cases could benefit the most from cost sharing;
• the exemption falls far short of what is required to create a level playing field for charities; and
• the issue of irrecoverable VAT leaves charities at a massive financial disadvantage compared to other sectors and further disincentivises collaboration.

Read the full response or read the news statement.

September 2011

Helping you to understand the new Best Value Guidance

Earlier in September, the Department for Communities and Local Government published guidance for all local authorities in how they should work with voluntary and community groups.

But what does it mean if you are funded by your local authority, what difference might it make? Melanie Carter, a partner at Bates Wells & Braithwaite, has written this short commentary on what the Best Value guidance is, its legal status, and how it might have an impact on any decision to cut funding.

• Read the Best Value guidance sheet

July 2011

NCVO Policy Analysis: The Open Public Services White Paper

NCVO has written a detailed policy analysis on the Government's Open Public Services White Paper, which was published earlier this month. Our report analyses the specific proposals and investments in the paper, details priorities and recommendations and outlines NCVO's involvement in the next steps with this White Paper.

• Download our analysis of the Open Public Services White Paper (100KB PDF)

June 2011

NCVO Policy Analysis: The Giving White Paper

NCVO has written a detailed policy analysis on the Government's Giving White Paper, which was published on 23 May 2011. Our report analyses the specific proposals and investments in the paper, details priorities and recommendations and outlines NCVO's involvement in the next steps with this White Paper.

• Download our analysis of the Giving White Paper (PDF 40KB)
• "If we want people to give more, we need to make it easier", writes James Allen for the Guardian Voluntary Sector Network blog