Member News
By Tony Grew - 23rd May 2011
Ministers should set an example by donating money to charities, it has been suggested.
The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has welcomed today's government white paper on charitiable giving, and the "tangible progress towards creating a coherent plan to encourage charitable giving in the UK".
Chief executive John Low praised a series of Whitehall initiatives.
"While recognising that much of the development must by charities and social entrepreneurs, government has put its support behind excellent ideas such as improved access to local philanthropy advice and networks, and enabling donations through government websites," he said.
"CAF asked government to support innovation in the sector and they have responded with the Challenge Fund. Together with the Social Action Fund, this new investment should help the best ideas in the field grow and scale up."
The white paper also contains a commitment that "all ministers" will take part in a one day volunteering challenge.
Low suggested that Whitehall do more to "lead by example".
"While the move to encourage ministers to volunteer is a step in the right direction, government could have encouraged them to pledge money as well as time, helping to shape social norms around giving," he said.
The launch of the white paper coincides with a speech from the prime minister on the Big Society.
At a press briefing this morning the PM's official spokesman declined to say how much money David Cameron personally donates to charity.
New commitments in the white paper include:
* £10m Social Action Fund to support the most promising ideas for growing giving in priority areas in England
* challenge prizes, of up to £100,000 for the best solutions to volunteer challenges
* £30m fund to improve the effectiveness of infrastructure organisations that support front line organisations
* £1m to support Youthnet which runs the volunteering website www.do-it.org.uk and which will share its data more freely with organisations.
* £700,000 to support Philanthropy UK connecting wealthy people with charities that need their support
* £400,000 support from government and NESTA to trial ‘Spice’ in England which gives volunteers ‘thank yous’ like vouchers or discounts with local businesses when they do good things for the community
* a new honours committee to ensure people are recognised and celebrated for exceptional and sustained philanthropy
* trial charity promotions on the public service website Directgov that gets around 4.5 million visits per week
Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said: "The building of a bigger stronger society will not be done by government but by citizens.
"However, it will not emerge overnight and government has to play a role in supporting it.
"That is why, after levels of giving have flat lined for years, this government is taking action, introducing policies to make giving give back, cut red tape and spark innovation.
"These changes form part of our desire to build a big society, where power is decentralised, public services are opened up and social action is encouraged."
Article Comments
I really don't think ministers, or MPs, should have to give details of their personal charitable giving. Whatever it was, there would then be assorted media outcries that it is too little, to the 'wrong' organisations et etc. Besides, many MPs, including Ministers, give informally at events around their constituency every weekend, and may feel that is enough. If made public, I can imagine Downing Street providing a list of suitable organisations from which to choose!
Sue
23rd May 2011 at 1:15 pm
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