Responding to a tough but important budget

178 people from across the voluntary and community sector attended eight meetings in three weeks and given the tight timescale, most had no more than a few days’ notice. The mood in all of the meetings was sombre with public sector officials seeming almost overwhelmed at scale of the task ahead of them.

Voluntary and community representatives were frustrated at the lack of detail, angry about the fact that in many cases the sector is seen as easiest option for cuts and emotional about the impact of the proposed budget on the people and communities they work with. NICVA submitted our response on the 23rd December. It contains NICVA’s reflections on public finances in general, our learning from our participation in this particular consultation process, and comments on each Departmental Spending Plan.