Scottish government acts on advice from SCVO in spending plans

The SCVO got its way in the new Spending Review unveiled by the Scottish government yesterday, as it welcomed the “major shift in focus to prevention and confidence in the sector”.

The umbrella body recently made a submission to the government urging it to pour more emphasis and funding into preventative services in order to save money in the longer term. The government appears to have taken note, boosting spending by £500m over the next three years on preventative initiatives in the areas of adult social care, early years and tackling reoffending.

The Spending Review stated: “Despite the acute financial pressures we face, this spending review marks a decisive shift towards preventative spending. Focusing on preventing problems by intervening earlier is not only the right approach to many of the social and other issues facing us in Scotland today; it also secures better value for the taxpayer.”

It also said: “The third sector has a crucial role to play in delivery, because of its specialist expertise, its ability to engage with vulnerable groups and its flexible and innovative approach.”

The SCVO welcomed the news but warned that the funding “must not get hijacked by acute services and structural reform”.

John Downie, director of public affairs, said: “This is a real statement of intent and indicates that the government wants to do things differently.

“To make this happen, the third sector must be given a role to play in decision-making around the allocation of change funds.  We must also ensure that sufficient emphasis is given to genuinely preventative approaches which reduce demand rather than redirecting it to different patterns of service.”

The spending review also contained details of the funding allocated to the Third Sector budget for the next three years.  After this financial year, which boasts a Third Sector budget of £24m, each of the following three years will deliver £23.5m to the sector, to help it “grow and strengthen”.