Small Charity Sector Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
Helen Maguire
Main Page: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)Department Debates - View all Helen Maguire's debates with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
Small Charity Sector
Helen Maguire Excerpts(1 day, 10 hours ago)
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Liz Jarvis (Eastleigh) (LD)
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Roger, and I congratulate the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Sir Iain Duncan Smith) on securing this important debate. It has been a pleasure to hear about so many wonderful charities and volunteers.
Small local charities have played an increasing role in the community life of this country and have stepped in to fill critical gaps in public services. They support young people, the elderly and the isolated. They counsel the bereaved, look after abandoned animals and reach people in crisis when statutory services cannot. A thriving voluntary sector is essential.
Small charities in my constituency—including Pavilion on the Park, the Eastleigh Basics Bank, Fledge, the Asian Welfare and Cultural Association, St Francis Animal Welfare and 1Community—all do fantastic work, and I am incredibly proud of the contribution they make every day, the commitment of all their volunteers and staff, and the work they do to strengthen the bonds in our community. However, as we have heard, small charities are facing huge challenges.
Sir Roger Gale (in the Chair)
Order. I am terribly sorry; I appreciate that there are conflicting demands on Members, but the hon. Lady must be aware that if a Member comes in late, it is quite straightforward: no intervention.