This was announced in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Pre-Budget Speech yesterday (6th December 2006), which was attended by Faithworks representatives. The event also included the launch of a report on the future role of the third sector in social and economic regeneration, as part of HM Treasury’s Third Sector Spending Review.

Faithworks warmly welcomes this report, and the improved commitment to third sector organisations, which will bring increased stability to local community groups who are delivering vital services ‘on the ground’, including many of our members. 

In October 2006 Faithworks delivered a consultation to feed in the views of faith groups on the Government’s Third Sector Spending Review, and recommended this change. It is heartening to know that our voice has been heard.

The report also paid tribute to the special role of faith-based organisations in the community, and reiterated the Government’s commitment to faith groups:

“Faith communities can make a difference in ways governments cannot; in the ways they reach out to excluded communities, build the confidence and abilities of those who volunteer, and provide innovative solutions to the new problems that society faces. The Government wants to address the barriers faith communities experience to participation in civic life, including in accessing sources of funding, and wants to increase and improve the wide range of services that they provide to members of their own faith and to the wider community.”   (page 13, box 2.2)

 Click here to read the Pre-Budget Speech. 

Click here to read the report, The Future Role of the Third Sector in Social and Economic Regeneration: Interim Report