Scotland’s voluntary sector has seen a 4.3 per cent rise in income in the year to March 2009, according to data from the Scottish government.

The Scottish social economy turnover stood at £3.1bn as of March 2009 compared with £2.9bn in 2008.

The fortune of Scotland’s social economy has been recorded since 2004 and has seen mild fluctuation over the five years. This year’s increase is the highest yet.

Cabinet secretary for finance and sustainable growth John Swinney said: “It is very encouraging to see a real terms increase in social economy turnover in Scotland.

“It shows how increasingly important the voluntary sector is becoming to the Scottish economy. Enterprising voluntary sector organisations both help sustain employment in communities, provide effective service delivery and support some of the  most vulnerable people in society.”

Lucy McTernan, deputy chief executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations said: “These figures appear to broadly support SCVO’s own research which shows that the voluntary sector’s income has grown over the last two years.

“However, what may not be immediately apparent is the even greater increase in demand for the services we provide and in the resources the sector has to spend to meet that demand.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Scottish government in partnership to help us deliver high-quality services.”

The social economy in Scotland is defined as organisations operating in Scotland that are included on the Office for National Statistics' Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR) and have a legal status of 'non-profit-making bodies and mutual associations'.

	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
Turnover (£m, real terms)	2,908	2,811	2,827	2,976	2,937	3,064
Turnover (£m, cash terms)	2,558	2,541	2,603	2,821	2,865	3,064