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The Executive is calling for urgent changes to the Local Growth Fund to prioritise people and vital services here. We understand the depth of anger and frustration across the voluntary and community sector because these services are lifelines for many individuals and communities locally and the current position is neither sustainable nor fair.
We have been raising these concerns for many months, including directly with the Prime Minister. We also wrote to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, urging him to act as a matter of urgency to address the current funding constraints and provide a more appropriate resource allocation. We made clear the serious consequences these decisions are having. It is therefore deeply disappointing that, to date, this has not been met with the level of response or engagement required.
The Executive has discussed the worsening situation on multiple occasions, including at our meeting on Thursday (26th March), where Ministers again discussed the very grave situation still facing the sector due to the current fiscal challenges. The significantly reduced quantum of the Fund is compounding these challenges and placing vital services at risk.
We continue to engage with the voluntary and community sector and believe there is still time for the Secretary of State to protect and ensure that the highly valued organisations within it can continue to deliver interventions that support people and drive economic growth.
With one voice, we continue to urge the Secretary of State to ensure the Local Growth Fund receives a realistic resource allocation immediately.
The Executive stands firmly with those calling for a fair and sustainable funding position and we will continue to make that case in the strongest possible terms.
