The Conservative Party’s manifesto is promising to improve philanthropic giving in the UK should it win July’s general election.

Its manifesto says that “government has the power to leverage philanthropy for good causes and cultural institutions” adding it aims to “work with individuals, businesses, charities and other networks to find opportunities to unleash this even further”.

Earlier this year Conservative government ministers had signalled the party wanted to improve philanthropic giving.

In March civil society minister Stuart Andrew said that philanthropy was too focused in London and the south, adding the party wanted to look at how giving can “better reach marginalised communities” and appoint philanthropy champions to influence potential donors.

Meanwhile in January culture secretary Lucy Frazer called for a “collective attitude shift" in UK society to philanthropy and greater respect for fossil fuel companies that donate.

Instead of “seeking to find fault” with philanthropists, UK society should be “applauding them”, she said.

Gift Aid review

The party’s manifesto also pledges to improve funding for charities by promising to complete its review of Gift Aid “within the next parliament”.

Already ministers had said they would engage with charities on changes to the tax benefit for charities, as it looked to cut red tape “through the use of digital technology”.

National Service

In addition, the manifesto reiterates a policy to “reinvent National Service” and force all 18 year olds to either spend a year in a paid armed forces or cyber defence role, or give up 25 days a year to volunteer in the community. This could include “special constable, NHS responder or RNLI volunteer”.

The manifesto adds the party will “establish a Royal Commission” to design the National Service plans, backed by legislation and £2.5bn in funding.

This policy had been announced by the party late last month and has already been met with criticism from charity sector leaders.

When it was announced NCVO chief executive Sarah Vibert said she is concerned about a lack of opportunity for charities and volunteers to discuss the proposals. She also feared that forcing young people to volunteer “could prevent some from building a lifelong love of community action”.

“We must build an environment where young people from all backgrounds thrive and are encouraged, not forced, to support communities and causes that matter to them,” she added.

NHS involvement

The Conservatives also aims to increase choice within the NHS by offering further opportunities to all types of provider “NHS, charity or independent sector” to offer free of charge services to patients “where these meet NHS costs and standards".

Conservative government legislation to increase the legal age of smoking was abandoned due to its general election announcement. The party’s manifesto says this measure, which was backed by health charities, will be form part of the first King’s Speech should it be elected.

The manifesto also pledges to involve charities in discussions around accessing nature. But it will not “impose a universal right to roam”.

Welfare cuts

The Conservatives are looking to bring in £17bn of tax cuts as well as increase defence spending through £12bn in cuts to welfare benefits, as well as cutting civil service numbers.

Institute of Fiscal Studies director Paul Johnson says such cuts, including reducing the number of people eligible for disability benefit, are “unlikely to deliver sizeable savings on the timescale that the Conservatives claim”

“Giveaways are paid for by uncertain, unspecific and apparently victimless savings. Forgive a degree of scepticism.” - @PJTheEconomist

Our initial response to the @Conservatives' manifesto is out.

Read in full here: https://t.co/WYRWLbilwo pic.twitter.com/Grx80eqls5

— Institute for Fiscal Studies (@TheIFS) June 11, 2024

Johnson added: “The hope seems to be that, since spending on disability benefits is rising rapidly, one can simply “reform disability benefits” and hold spending down. But halving the number of people that successfully apply for disability benefits from its current level would not be easy and would need definite, clear policies that require difficult decisions. These are not stated.”

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