Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Charity Sector: Covid-19 Support

Thursday 5 November 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government has funded 13,000 charities, social enterprises and other community organisations through its 750 million package for the charity sector during the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • The dormant assets scheme has unlocked more than 745 million for social and environmental causes in the UK, including 150 million released in May to support charities affected by the pandemic.
  • Charities have accumulated a 10 billion deficit over six months, with 10% of organisations at risk of folding.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sara Britcliffe
Context

The government announced a £750 million package to support the charity sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Question

How many charities has the Department allocated funding to as part of the Government's £750 million package of support for the charity sector during the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Matt Warman

The Government has funded 13,000 charities, social enterprises and other community organisations, including St John Ambulance, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, FareShare and a host of others. That includes £45,000 going to charities in the Hyndburn constituency.

Answered
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Q2 Sara Britcliffe
Economy Environment
Context

The dormant assets scheme has been successful in unlocking funds for various causes.

Question

Will the Department join me in welcoming the continued funding secured from identifying and putting to good use the money left in dormant accounts?

Answer from Matt Warman

The dormant assets scheme is a great success; it has unlocked more than £745 million for social and environmental causes in the UK to date, including £150 million released in May to support charities, communities and individuals affected by the pandemic. Work is also under way to expand the scheme to a wider range of assets and enable hundreds of millions of pounds more of forgotten money to be put to good use.

Answered
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Q3 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Economy Community Security Benefits & Welfare
Context

The charity sector is facing a £10 billion deficit over six months due to lost fundraising.

Question

On Monday, the Prime Minister said he would be doing much more over the winter to support the voluntary sector. The sector provides vital services and already has an accumulation of a £10 billion deficit over just six months, with 10% of organisations due to fold. Can the Minister say exactly how they will rescue our charities and address that deficit, and what further money will be forthcoming as charities are never more needed and never more in need?

Answer from Matt Warman

The hon. Lady is absolutely right to say that charities have performed an immensely valuable role, and they will continue to be more important than ever. I would point her to the £750 million package, and she will know that the Chancellor will be making a statement later on, which I am sure will not be the last one he will be making over the course of this pandemic.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific details on how charities will be rescued and addressed their deficit was not provided.

How: Point Her To The £750 Million Package, The Chancellor Will Be Making A Statement Later

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