Reflecting on our Members’ event with local MPs

24th February 2025

Author: Lynn Williams, Partnerships and Membership Coordinator

On 14th February, GCVS members met with two newly elected Glasgow MPs using a ‘speed-date’ format to match the occasion.

While sector pressures increase; funding does not

Over 40 voluntary organisations joined one of our final sessions to be hosted at the Albany Centre, meeting with two newly elected Glasgow MPs, John Grady, MP for Glasgow East and Martin Rhodes, MP for Glasgow North.

GCVS members from across the city took part – from small, volunteer-led groups to larger local organisations. Among them were sports charities, health-focused organisations, and charities dedicated to mental health and support for refugees. Some of those who attended were volunteers dedicating their time to developing valued community groups and venues.

Both MPs spent time with all participants; the discussions raised were serious and challenging, reminding us of the needs and crises faced by people being supported by local voluntary organisations. None of the issues discussed were new; however they added to evidence of the increasing pressures facing the sector. And it was clear that secure and sustainable funding remains a distant dream.

The concerns about the effects of Employer National Insurance changes after years of austerity run deep. Added to long-term standstill or reduced funding, and a cost of living crisis, this change will hit the voluntary sector hard.

The services affected by the NI changes are not ‘nice to have’ but essential if the UK Government is serious about economic and social recovery and a shift to prevention. That message was delivered loud and clear to both MPs.

Meet the MPs in our video

Disappointment in New Government

What was interesting as discussions progressed was the real sense of disappointment in the new UK Government, anger about the language and rhetoric used by Ministers, the focus on ‘working people’ and what this implies about people who cannot work. To some extent, there was a sense of despair about the still limited (and increasingly polarised) debate on migration and asylum and concern about the direction of travel in UK politics.

Both MPs were directly challenged on a number of occasions; sadly, some of those in the room felt that raising our concerns in this way would likely make little difference.

The voluntary sector is tired and less forgiving than it used to be.

There is a lack of hope threading through the issues and concerns raised by the voluntary sector last week. A lack of hope not just for our own organisations but for people in Glasgow who’ve been at the hard end of austerity, unable to access support from increasingly fractured public services.

In one discussion, we talked about the reality of poverty, the inequalities and barriers some groups face, and the need for the benefits system to be kinder to ensure people can live a decent life. We asked why asylum seekers are still not allowed to work when a key focus of this still-new Government is on economic recovery.

Barriers to employability support were also mentioned in one table. Several discussions alluded to the endless focus on prevention by Ministers, yet there is still a lack of real investment in the community services that could make a real difference here.

Commitment to make lives better

Frustration was visible as many frontline community groups talked about being continually asked to do more, filling the gaps left by reducing public services. Broader issues were also raised about women’s health, mental health, the specific issues faced by young people, the desperate circumstances of asylum seekers and the lack of support for unpaid care. Organisations in the frontline with real policy and delivery expertise offered ideas and solutions as they always do.

Even in these difficult times for our sector, and amidst a difficult world, the people in the room last week were so clearly committed to changing lives, to recovery, and to hope.

Feedback to government

Our ask of MPs on the day was that our sector be brought into Government discussions and planning at both UK and Scottish levels. There are voices which need to be at the heart of policymaking and which are often excluded from the decisions that profoundly affect their quality of life.

We also wanted to see less hostile language about groups within society which are already marginalised or facing destitution. Language matters and politicians can set a good example.

We’ve sent a letter to both the Chancellor and the Secretary of State to invite them to meet the sector, to discuss this and the UK Spending Review.

Stronger together

Lastly, what really mattered in this event were the connections made across organisations. A plan to link up for a podcast, a joint visit to a much loved Glasgow setting, and the opportunity to share ideas and good practices.

Many of the organisations there on Friday will be on the frontline if there are ‘eye-watering’ public funding cuts in the Spending Review. Even taking this into account, and as organisations struggle to keep going, Friday’s event was a reminder that each of us is not alone and that we are all part of a rich, vibrant voluntary sector that really does change lives for the better.

We really hope that John and Martin saw all of this; that they’re able to take back our concerns – and ideas – to Government Ministers. As we stated in our response to the UK Spending Review call for evidence, we once again extend an open invitation to the Chancellor and Secretaries of State to meet with charities and voluntary organisations in Glasgow – to hear what key policy decisions will mean in real life.

Read our letter to the Chancellor and Secretary of State for Scotland, and our submission to the UK Government Spending review process.

Letter to the UK Chancellor

UK Spending Review Submission