Member News
By Bishop of Ripon and Leeds - 24th November 2011
The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds warns that government cuts will hit those in need the hardest.
Amongst the greatest concerns in many parts of the country about the effect of government cuts has been the danger that they will impact disproportionately on those in most need in our communities.
Amongst the best examples of mutual collaboration in recent years have been those where local voluntary organisations have been able to access public finance to develop their community work. This has applied, for example, in youth clubs, computer and internet training, and the teaching of English as a second or other language. Volunteers have been used to provide effective contributions to the life of our society, in co-operation with those responsible for public funding.
It is this collaboration which may be threatened by current policies. Small charities do not have 'back office staff' who can be pruned. Cuts directly affect frontline services. English language teaching is an integral part of the creation of a stronger society, yet local provision is declining because of the inability to pay expenses for voluntary tutors. In the disturbances of August 2011, a number of young people did not take part because of the direct influence of youth leaders – yet it is those areas with a high proportion of young people not in education, employment or training which find it hardest to provide youth provisions without support.
I believe the government should do more to enable local authorities to meet the expectations of 'Compact' and to ensure that the 'Compact Commissioner' explores local authorities' approaches to Third Sector funding. There are good examples out there – Leeds is working directly with the third sector to try to mitigate the effect of cuts. We need a still more effective government response to this need.
John Richard Packerbecame Bishop of Ripon and Leeds in 2000. He entered the House of Lords in 2006.
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