GOVERNMENT MUST THINK TWICE BEFORE RESTRICTING THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR’S INDEPENDENT VOICE
The Government must not rush to restrict the voluntary sector from campaigning, warned the Independence Panel today, and should stop and think further before pressing ahead with the relevant provisions in the Lobbying Bill.
The Panel is a group of voluntary sector leaders and experts established in 2011 to protect the independence of the voluntary sector.
Its Chair Sir Roger Singleton said: “Voluntary and community organizations are crucial to a healthy democracy, providing vital checks and balances on behalf of otherwise powerless groups or unpopular causes.
“Their efforts to influence politicians to create better public services and policy is something that should be welcomed.
Sir Roger was speaking at the end of an all day meeting in which it heard that lobbying legislation being debated in the House of Commons would unnecessarily restrict legitimate campaigning activities, including those of very small groups, in the 12 months before a general election.
A broad range of voluntary organisations including the Countryside Alliance, RSPB, the Society of Friends and 38 Degrees echoed concerns being voiced by the NCVO and ACEVO across the sector.
The Panel also considered Government statements that the changes would not fundamentally alter the present capacity of charities to campaign.
However, Sir Roger said that witnesses expressed widespread disagreement with the Government’s view about the impact of the proposed changes on the independence of charities and he urged Ministers to take a less hasty and more consultative approach to developing the legislation.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. For media enquiries, contact Dominic Nutt on 07720 467680.
2. The Panel was initiated and is funded by the Baring Foundation to ensure that independence is seen as a top priority by the voluntary sector and those with whom it works and to make recommendations to ensure that it is not lost. Its Chair is Sir Roger Singleton CBE who was chief executive of Barnado’s for 21 years and its other members are Nicholas Deakin CBE, Andrew Hind CB, Sir Bert Massie CBE, Julia Unwin CBE, Louise Whitfield and Nick Wilkie.
3. Further details about the Panel and its reports are at www.independencepanel.org.uk