The North Antrim MLA was speaking following a NICVA organised protest held outside Parliament Buildings yesterday (21 January) in objection to funding cuts brought about by the new Local Growth Fund (LGF), which is to be introduced by the UK Government later this year.
Ms Mulholland said: “Yesterday, I stood with voluntary and community organisations at Stormont in protest to the UK Government’s unacceptable cuts, pushing this vital sector further into collapse.
“The voluntary and community sector is embedded in our constituencies, delivering support to the people who need it most. From helping those furthest from the labour market to tackling poverty and isolation.
“A 64 per cent cut to these services tackling economic inactivity will hit frontline services hard and have a detrimental impact on those who are the most vulnerable in society. This isn’t about bureaucracy, it’s about people’s livelihoods.
“It’s deeply concerning that the introduction of the LGF has been accompanied by a lack of clarity, planning or transitional support for the groups who have been delivering vital services across Northern Ireland. The sector has been left facing a funding cliff-edge, with organisations waiting for answers while their services and jobs are put at risk.”
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood added: “This is an alarming situation that community and voluntary organisations have been pushed into by the UK Government. These are the groups holding our communities together, and that’s why I’ve raised this at every opportunity – convening sector leaders, and pressing Ministers directly in Parliament and through dedicated scrutiny at the NI Affairs Committee.
“The community and voluntary sector must be properly valued. The Government must change course, provide transitional support, and work alongside organisations to redesign the LGF so it reflects real local need and protects the vital work happening in our communities.”
Ms Mulholland said: “Yesterday, I stood with voluntary and community organisations at Stormont in protest to the UK Government’s unacceptable cuts, pushing this vital sector further into collapse.
“The voluntary and community sector is embedded in our constituencies, delivering support to the people who need it most. From helping those furthest from the labour market to tackling poverty and isolation.
“A 64 per cent cut to these services tackling economic inactivity will hit frontline services hard and have a detrimental impact on those who are the most vulnerable in society. This isn’t about bureaucracy, it’s about people’s livelihoods.
“It’s deeply concerning that the introduction of the LGF has been accompanied by a lack of clarity, planning or transitional support for the groups who have been delivering vital services across Northern Ireland. The sector has been left facing a funding cliff-edge, with organisations waiting for answers while their services and jobs are put at risk.”
Alliance MP Sorcha Eastwood added: “This is an alarming situation that community and voluntary organisations have been pushed into by the UK Government. These are the groups holding our communities together, and that’s why I’ve raised this at every opportunity – convening sector leaders, and pressing Ministers directly in Parliament and through dedicated scrutiny at the NI Affairs Committee.
“The community and voluntary sector must be properly valued. The Government must change course, provide transitional support, and work alongside organisations to redesign the LGF so it reflects real local need and protects the vital work happening in our communities.”