A Joint Economic Commission to support communities, businesses and families through the economic downturn in the North West has been set up by Beverley Hughes, minister for the NW region.
The Commission, involving all the key partners in the region – including the voluntary and community sector (VCS) – will meet on a regular basis. The purpose will be to identify the main issues and provide a co-ordinated response to support those who face significant economic challenges. It will also influence central Government.
The involvement of the VCS, represented through Richard Caulfield, chief executive of Voluntary Sector North West (VSNW), will be important for three reasons:
• working closely with communities, VCS groups will know and understand – quite possibly long before other partners – the issues and challenges people face;
• the voluntary and community sector should be well placed to identify, and possibly deliver, solutions;
• it may be that the downturn will directly affect VCS groups, in areas such as funding, for example.
VSNW is very keen to hear from VCS groups affected by the downturn, for example:
• its impact on VCS funding – any changes linked either to the economic situation or local authority investments in Icelandic banks;
• its impact on the uptake of services – especially advice services or services directly related to worklessness.
Evidence can be sent to: policy@vsnw.org.uk.
VSNW will aim to keep the VCS informed of the actions of the Commission and any issues that arise for the sector.