The Liberal Democrats would open public procurement for charities, review the balance of the Lobbying Act, and introduce a new and improved Work Programme, according to their manifesto, published today.

The party has also promised more access to social investment and has said it will ensure charities and social enterprises can acccss the “support and finance they need to develop and deliver innovative, sustainable solutions to challenges in their communities”.

And it says it wants to allow non-profit local media outlets to obtain charitable status where the public interest is being served.

Procurement

The manifesto said it plans to use central government public procurement policy as a tool of local growth and community development. The Liberal Democrats have said they will continue its work to open up public procurement to the voluntary sector.

But the manifesto also promises to extend Freedom of Information requests to cover private companies providing public services, which is likely to include charities.

The Liberal Democrats say that it values “the important role the voluntary, independent and community sectors play in the life of our communities and in delivering public services”.

The party has also pledged a "reformed and improved" Work Programme with improved incentives for Jobcentre staff and Work Programme providers. 

Lobbying Act

The party has proposed to consider the work of the independent review into the Lobbying Act and the impact of third party spending regulations to “ensure the right balance has been struck”.

Increased social action

The party has also promised to promote social action and volunteering in schools, colleges and universities, and that it will work to raise the status of youth work and youth workers.

It also said it will encourage health services to link up with Local Authority social care teams and voluntary services to join up care.

It has also pledged support to community services and volunteers working to combat loneliness, particularly in later life.

Finance for the sector

The party has maintained its commitment to spending on overseas development, and also proposed to create a new civil partnership scheme to build links between people in rich and poor countries, including partnerships between communities, trade unions or emergency services.

The Liberal Democrats also pledged a new community banking sector to support small and medium-sized enterprises and social enterprises. This forms part of its commitment to promote competition and innovation in the UK banking sector.

NCVO backs commitments

Ruth Driscoll, head of policy and public services at NCVO, welcomed the party's stance on the Lobbying Act. She said that this was a “sensible position which will allow future policy development to be best informed by evidence about the impact of the current legislation”.

Driscoll also said NCVO was pleased by proposals on the Work Programme.

"We welcome the proposal to improve incentives for Work Programme providers, many of which are charities, supporting those furthest from the labour market," she said. "We have suggested that this could be achieved through milestone payments that recognise the progress made supporting those with the most complex needs."