Election 2026: What have political parties said about third sector support?

With the Scottish elections fast approaching, we’ve taken a closer look at what the main parties are saying about support for the third sector. Compiled by Innes Burns, Communications Officer at Children in Scotland.  

In our manifesto we have called on the next Scottish Government to follow SCVO’s Fair Funding Principles to ensure longer term, more flexible funding for charities. We have also encouraged continued focus on the public service reform agenda with a focus on improving public and third sector collaboration at local and national level.

Below, we’ve laid out what each of the main political parties have said about charities, voluntary organisations and community groups in their manifestos.

Here’s what they each had to say…

Conservative and Unionist Party

The Conservatives emphasise transparency and accountability in public funding for organisations, including charities.  They do not set out detailed proposals for expanding the third sector’s role but refer to scrutiny of funding arrangements. 

They have stated that public service reform should prioritise efficiency, clearer accountability and better value for money. Their manifesto emphasised reducing bureaucracy, strengthening performance management, and expanding digital transformation. They proposed simplifying public bodies, cutting duplication, and ensuring that resources are directed to frontline services through tighter financial controls. 

Labour Party

Labour states that it supports the independence of charities and voluntary organisations and proposes more stable funding arrangements, including multi‑year settlements. The manifesto recognises the third sector as a partner in delivering community and social support services. 

They have committed to rebuilding public services by improving workforce conditions, investing in capacity and modernising delivery. Their manifesto highlighted prevention‑focused services, better coordination across health, social care and local government, and stronger national standards. They emphasised partnership with trade unions and local authorities to reduce fragmentation and improve service quality. 

Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrats support partnership working between government, councils and voluntary organisations. Their proposals for family support hubs involve coordination with third sector organisations. They also emphasise strengthening local delivery models and involving community‑based organisations in service provision. 

They have proposed reforms aimed at simplifying public service structures, strengthening local accountability and improving access to services. Their manifesto supported reducing centralisation, expanding transparency, and modernising delivery through digital tools and evidence‑based policymaking. They emphasised preventative services and community involvement as ways to improve long‑term outcomes. 

Reform UK

Reform UK does not set out specific third sector policies. The party focuses on reducing the size of the state and public spending and does not propose detailed funding arrangements or frameworks for voluntary sector involvement. 

Their manifesto focused on streamlining structures, strengthening managerial oversight and directing more resources to frontline delivery through structural simplification and efficiency measures. 

Scottish Greens

The Greens highlight the role of community organisations in delivering services related to social care, prevention and wellbeing. Their proposals support community‑led service delivery and local provision. Voluntary organisations are referenced in relation to service delivery and community activity. 

They have set out a worker‑led programme to improve public sector performance while rejecting austerity‑driven cuts. They supported exploring shared back‑office services where this does not affect frontline delivery or compromise the policy of no compulsory redundancies. Their focus was on savings generated through collaboration with staff rather than reductions in workforce or service levels. 

Scottish National Party (SNP)

The SNP highlights the role of third sector organisations in public service delivery and community support. The manifesto refers to strengthening collaboration through a Third Sector Partnership, improving funding arrangements, and involving voluntary organisations in policy and service design. Multi‑year funding is referenced for organisations delivering public services. 

They have committed to refocusing government activity on frontline delivery through a reformed National Performance Framework and a clearer set of long‑term national outcomes. They pledged to simplify the public sector landscape, reduce the number of public bodies, and streamline strategies and reporting requirements. A Public Service Renewal Bill would be introduced in the first year to progress these changes, including reforms to the commissioner landscape and strengthened oversight arrangements.