Member

We cannot take these voluntary groups for granted. We must realise that, without proper funding, residents will lose the valuable support provided by these groups. The voluntary sector is facing a crisis after years of funding cuts, rising operating costs, a cost of living crisis and the Government’s hike to employer national insurance contributions, which have placed an immense burden on these voluntary organisations. The funding issue is felt particularly hard in Wokingham, where many of the volunteer groups have been supported by the local authority, Wokingham borough council. Wokingham is the lowest funded unitary authority, and was for many years under the previous Conservative Government. Money is very tight and Labour’s new local government funding formula will deprive Wokingham of a further £43 million over the next three years, making life even more difficult.