HELP FOR CHARITY
Chancellor Rishi Sunak reveals £750m bail out for desperate charities so they can continue delivering vital help
RISHI Sunak has unveiled a £750m bail out for Britain’s desperate charities so they can continue delivering vital help.
Hundreds of voluntary sector organisations are in danger of going bust after donations more than halved with the coronavirus outbreak.
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The Chancellor’s jumbo cash injection is targeted at charities delivering frontline services such as refuges and carers.
The Sun was the first to highlight organisations’ desperate plight, that was leaving thousands at serious risk.
Unveiling his plan during No10’s daily press conference on Covid-19 yesterday afternoon, Mr Sunak said: “Charities large and small are playing a vital role in the national effort against coronavirus.
“This is a difficult time for everyone and I have announced this unprecedented package of funding to make sure charities can continue to provide the support people need.”
The Chancellor added: “The Sun has been leading the charge on this very important issue and I want to thank them for their work on this.”
Groups can bid for the government grants, which they will not have to repay.
Tens of thousands of charities are estimated to benefit from the scheme.
It is the third major bailout carried out by the Treasury in the last month since the crisis struck, following businesses and workers.
The Chancellor’s sum falls short of the £4bn figure that some groups had called for.
But the targeted help was still warmly welcomed by campaigners, including the National Emergencies Trust and the Charities Aid Foundation.
Mr Sunak also announced the Government will match whatever the public donates to the BBC’s Big Night In charity appeal on April 23rd - starting with a contribution of at least £20 million to the National Emergencies Trust appeal.
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Unveiling his bailout for charities, Mr Sunak said he is not able to save every organisation.
But he heaped praise on volunteers, dubbing them “unsung heroes holding together our social fabric”.
The Chancellor said: “Shutting up shop at this moment would be to contravene their entire reason to exist.
“Their services have never been more needed.
“You have not been forgotten, as today we in government do our part.”
Women’s Aid Patron and actress Dame Julie Walters added: “Coronavirus is a crisis for domestic abuse services, with families spending almost all their time at home, and we have to act now to save lives.
“We know that women and children living with domestic abuse are living a real life nightmare, being trapped with their abusers as they isolate.
“We do not only need urgent funding from the government for the coming weeks, but afterwards when both national services and local services around the country are trying to help the hundreds of thousands of survivors who desperately need them.”
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Charities Aid Foundation Chief Executive Sir John Low said: “This set of measures from the Treasury will offer important and welcome support for civil society at this very difficult time for us all.
“Recognising the humbling generosity of the British public right now is so vital as we rally together in the face of such a national challenge.”
Chief Executive of Comic Relief Ruth Davison added: “The incredible support for the Big Night In means we will be able to provide vital funding to smaller charities across the UK who are working around the clock to help keep people fed, safe and supported throughout the pandemic.”
Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan said tonight: "We welcome the Chancellor’s recognition that charities are needed now more than ever. B
"ut with the sector set to lose £4bn in 12 weeks, the £750m package announced today is little more than a sticking plaster and does not go far enough to ensure Barnardo’s and other charities can continue to support vulnerable children and adults during this extraordinary period and beyond.
"Demand for our services is already skyrocketing with more children experiencing domestic abuse, and at greater risk of sexual abuse at home and online. Mental health is moving from crisis to catastrophe and more families are falling into poverty."
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The news came as poverty charity Turn2Us said they would give out £500 coronavirus crisis grants to people in need.
The one-off payment will be given to ease the financial burden caused by the impact of COVID-19.
Unlike an emergency loan, the crisis grant doesn't need to be paid back.
Applicants for the Turn2Us Coronavirus Grant Fund will have to meet an eligibility criteria though to make sure that the money is going to those that need it the most.
The money will be transferred into people's bank accounts as soon as possible if they're successful.
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