Energy costs impacting on future of third sector services across region
The cost-of-living crisis is forcing a cut or closure in services provided by charities and community groups across Dumfries and Galloway.
A survey of third sector organisations revealed this week that 38 per cent had experienced a negative impact on services due to financial pressures.
Yet, this came at a time when more than half (52%) expected an increase in service demand due to the crisis.
Almost a fifth (17%) indicated that cost-of-living changes would require a completely new service within their organisation or more provision within a current service, due to a rise in user demand, just when budgets were being tightened.
The survey by Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG) shows that many organisations are still usure about the impact of future energy costs – estimations of the change in bills range from a five per cent jump up to three times current costs.
