Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Voluntary Sector: Partnership Working

Thursday 23 October 2025 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions on Voluntary Sector Partnership Working took place on 2025-10-23
  • Danny Beales welcomed the covenant and noted the charity and voluntary sector delivers 14 billion of public services annually
  • Robin Swann expressed concerns about voluntary and community organisations in Northern Ireland being left in limbo between the UK shared prosperity fund ending and the local growth fund starting

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Danny Beales Lab Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Community Security Local Government
Context

Research from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations indicates that the charity and voluntary sector delivers £14 billion of public services annually. In Danny Beales' constituency, local organisations like Hillingdon citizens advice bureau, Mencap and Mind have seen funding cuts.

Question

I welcome the covenant and the Minister’s response. Research from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations indicates that the charity and voluntary sector delivers £14 billion of public services annually. In my constituency, Hillingdon citizens advice bureau, Mencap and Mind provide vital advice and support, but in recent years their funding has been cut by the local authority. What steps is the Cabinet Office taking to reform public procurement and strengthen partnership working with the voluntary sector so that such organisations can play a greater role in future?

Answer from Josh Simons (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office)

I know that my hon. Friend has been a real leader in working with voluntary organisations in his constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip, and indeed across the country. As he knows, those organisations are often closest to the communities they serve. I am proud to say that, from April next year, all Government Departments must set a two-year target for direct spend with voluntary, community and social enterprises, and they must publish their results annually.

Answered
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Q2 Robin Swann Ulster Unionist Party South Antrim
Northern Ireland Local Government
Context

The UK shared prosperity fund is set to end, replaced by the local growth fund. Voluntary and community organisations in Northern Ireland are concerned about a funding gap between the two funds.

Question

I welcome the Minister’s reassurance. The UK shared prosperity fund is about to come to an end, to be replaced by the local growth fund, and voluntary and community organisations in Northern Ireland have real concerns that they will be left in limbo between one ending and the other starting. I recognise what the Minister just said about the two-year funding pot, but what reassurances can he give those organisations in Northern Ireland that their funding will carry over?

Answer from Josh Simons (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office)

My understanding is that the new funding will start in the new financial year, but I will look into the specific issue the hon. Gentleman raised in relation to Northern Ireland, and I will write to him to reassure him on that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific reassurances for organisations in Northern Ireland during transition period

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