Jeremy Balfour met with Paul Wilson, the Chief Officer of Volunteer Edinburgh to discuss the situation the volunteer sector in Edinburgh has been put in by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Wilson detailed the great efforts in volunteering over the course of the pandemic in Edinburgh. However, he also made it clear that there are major funding concerns within the third sector. Since 2010, the Scottish Government has not adjusted its level of funding, leading to a real-terms cut of over 30%. In addition, all funding is allocated on a one year basis, preventing many charities from having the stability of long term financial planning.
In response, Conservative and Unionist MSP Jeremy Balfour has said: “Today’s conversation was very productive and enlightening. It is shocking that the Scottish Government are being so derelict in their duty to help our struggling third sector while expecting it to continue to provide much needed support to those in need. The Government must re-examine the funding given to the third sector to encourage a full recovery post-pandemic”
