The Government has already taken extensive action to provide a range of new help for those who need it:
- help to boost people’s income with cuts to income tax and VAT and extra money for pensioners, and support for those facing debt problems
- help for businesses with cashflow problems and support to help businesses adapt to change
- help for homeowners having difficulty paying their mortgages or those hoping to afford to buy a home, and
- help for those looking for work or training or facing redundancies
As well as getting help quickly to those who need it now, the Government is determined to ensure that the country will emerge stronger and more productive once the global economy starts to recover. So it is increasing and accelerating its long–term investment plans, investing in capital projects to boost infrastructure and creating jobs, and investing in key growth industries for the future, so that we emerge from the downturn stronger and prepared to thrive in the future.
As a vital part of the economy, a key deliverer of public and community services, and the glue which holds our communities together, the third sector is playing a vital role in delivering real help and support to people from all walks of life who are affected by the recession. The Government is committed to helping the sector to offer more and better help to individuals and communities at these challenging times, and to improving the sector’s resilience to face time of economic change.
The third sector – encompassing voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, charities, faith groups, cooperatives and mutuals – is often ideally placed to support individuals and families during times of need, and to support communities facing social and economic change.
Third sector organisations are often most able to offer the flexibility, responsiveness, understanding of local and complex needs, and ability to take a long-term and holistic approach, that are needed to help people though difficult times and empowering them to realise their aspirations. As such, they are an important and valued partner of Government in our effort to get Britain through the downturn fairly.
