NCVO has made its submission to the Treasury spending review, calling on the government to ensure the net effect on voluntary and community organisations is “at least neutral”.

The document also asks the Treasury to ensure settlement letters ask departments to “be mindful of the need to strengthen civil society”, therefore looking at the impact of their spending decisions, as well as asking them to consider how they might “work with the sector to do things differently and more cost-effectively”.

The submission, written by senior policy officer James Allen (pictured), also argues for:

• Localisation and decentralisation
• Supporting and strengthening the Compact, with funding agreements set for at least three years
• A level playing field for the sector when bidding for contracts
• A radical simplification of the gift aid system
• A wider examination of the tax system to incentivise giving and philanthropy

The umbrella body also promises to work with other support bodies and VCOs, saying it recognises that existing support services “could be rationalised to become more efficient, effective and sustainable”.

This comes is response to the government’s stated desire to improve the effectiveness of infrastructure to support frontline organisations, a consultation upon which is pending.