The relationship between charities and government has broken down and needs to be reset, a charity research expert is warning.
Tim Harrison-Byrne, the co-managing director of nfpResearch, is warning that recent ‘culture war’ tension between Conservative Party politicians and charities has eroded their relationship.
This has seen charities clash with government on issues such as refugee rights, homelessness, community cohesion and the environment, he warns.
Among the latest example he gives is a disagreement between disability charities and the government, over ministers’ stance on benefit curbs on those unable to work.
This included a social media post by Mind urging the government to “stop blaming people with mental health problems” and calling on ministers to have a “grown up conversation about this”.
People don't choose to be on disability benefits. It's their last resort.
— Mind (@MindCharity) April 29, 2024
Stop blaming people with mental health problems. If the Secretary of State wants a grown-up conversation about this, then he should meet with us.
We've sent an invite. 1/3
“The relationship between charities and government has broken down,” said Harrison- Byrne
“At best, the government no longer sees charities as positive stakeholders to be consulted ahead of key policy decisions. At worst charities are fair game in the culture war.
“This breakdown benefits no one and is incredibly frustrating.”
He says that whoever wins the next general election “has to start working more constructively with charities”.
He said that comments made by Keir Starmer in January defending charities against culture war attacks are “encouraging”.
https://www.charitytimes.com/ct/Starmer-slams-Tory-culture-war-attacks-on-charities.php
“But it is easier to work with the sector in opposition than in government,” he added.
“If Labour do win the election a true test will be when charities start to criticise their policies, as they inevitably will. Strong relationships can withstand differing views and continue to work well together. But whatever happens, we cannot continue with the status quo.”
Last month nfpResearch revealed that Labour MPs are more positive than their Conservative counterparts about relations between parliament and the charity sector.
It found that just under two thirds of Labour MPs believed relations between charities and parliament are ‘good’ or ‘very good’, compared to just over a third of Conservative MPs.
“This could be a positive sign for charities, as the potential of a Labour majority should spark optimism about the sector’s relationship with government,” said the research consultancy.
In addition, Labour MPs are less likely than Conservatives to see charities as ‘too political’.
More than nine in ten Tory MPs believe some charities are ‘too political’ compared to a quarter of Labour MPs.
Also, more than eight in ten Tory MPs believe the charity sector overall is too political, compared to less than one in ten of their Labour counterparts.
“The increase in Conservative MPs agreement with the idea that the charity sector is ‘too political’ is cause for concern,” said nfpResearch.
“It will be challenging for charities to strike the right balance in the run-up to the election as they advocate for their causes to be considered. Should Labour win the next election it will be interesting to see whether Conservative perceptions that charities are ‘too political’ prevail as the opposition party.
“Labour being less likely to see charities as ‘political’ suggests they will be more open to discussion and debate with charities on policies. However, this idea will be tested should it be Labour’s policies that are facing scrutiny from charities.”
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