Sustainable funding for the third sector and action on a wellbeing economy: our calls following Programme for Government announcement

Children in Scotland has highlighted its concerns for the sector, and the children and young people it supports, following yesterday’s Programme for Government announcement.

The organisation is calling for sustainable funding for the sector and decisive action towards the delivery of a wellbeing economy.

Children in Scotland Chief Executive, Dr Judith Turbyne, welcomed the intention to prioritise public services in yesterday’s announcement, but highlighted the need for sustainable investment to turn good intentions into action. She said:

“As we begin to turn our thoughts to the winter months, when many families will face impossible choices between heating their homes and eating, we need to see the right kind of activity and investment in the third sector, and concrete steps towards a more rights-based economy that prioritises wellbeing.

“I am pleased to see a focus on public services at the heart of this year’s Programme for Government. However, the crucial role of the third sector to deliver them in a universal and targeted way is again at risk of being overlooked. In recent months, we have seen organisations, that provide essential relationship-based family support and play a crucial role in children’s services planning and delivery, forced to close their doors or reduce services because of unsustainable funding positions.

“We support a recent campaign by SCVO calling for fairer funding for the third sector to deliver long-term sustainable solutions to these issues.”

Dr Turbyne highlighted the urgent need to deliver a wellbeing economy. She added:

“Our current economic model is broken, and the transition to a wellbeing economy is urgently required to tackle poverty, reduce inequality, and to ensure we can deliver on our climate targets. The recent introduction of a Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy is a positive step forward; however, tangible action is now needed to refocus our economic model and deliver an economy that supports everyone to live good lives and protects the health of our planet.”

In July, Children in Scotland was one of more than 200 charities, economists, businesses, trade unions, and academics that co-signed a joint letter, co-ordinated by the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland, urging the First Minister to take decisive action and deliver a robust plan to deliver a wellbeing economy.

Media Contact

Julie Thomson, Communications & Marketing Manager, jthomson@childreninscotland.org.uk