Autumn Statement offers little hope to people supported by Scotland’s charities and voluntary organisations

On 23 November 2016, the UK Chancellor Philip Hammond presented his autumn statement to the UK Parliament. Commenting on the statement, SCVO Director of Public Affairs, John Downie, said: This budget offers little hope to the people that Scotland’s charities and voluntary organisations support, and comes from a Government that is clearly fully committed to continuing with the devastating welfare cuts spearheaded by the previous Chancellor. Despite the fact that inflation and the cost of living is set to rise, the Chancellor has chosen not to restore the link between inflation and benefits, and has reversed a mere £700 million of the UK Government’s £12 billion in social security cuts. Along with a fractional increase in the already inadequate National Living Wage, the poorest people in communities across the country will continue to face bitter hardship in the years ahead. We note that investments in affordable housing and infrastructure will see £800 million in Barnett consequentials for the Scottish Government, and look forward to working with Scotland’s third sector to make sure this much needed investment is put towards tackling some of Scotland’s deepest rooted social problems. ENDS Notes to editors:

1. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is the national membership body representing the interests of charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. The Scottish third sector turns over £4.9 billion a year and employs 138,000 people in over 45,000 organisations. For more on SCVO see scvo.scot
2. For media queries, please call Charlotte McNeill at SCVO on 07790 601 995.