Big society sums just don't add up
The Guardian, Tuesday 22 February 2011
It was sad to read about Denise Marshall's no doubt tough decision to return her OBE in protest at government cuts (Report, 16 February) – a further indication of the damage the Tory-led government is inflicting on the "civil society" it wants to use to replace the state. Organisations like Eaves and Women's Aid already provide vital services for vulnerable women, in partnership with the public sector. But the government's cuts will cost the voluntary sector as much as £5bn when demand for the services such organisations provide is increasing.
The proposed "big society" bank, which will lend two-thirds of its £300m at expensive commercial rates, is just window dressing and will be of little assistance. Against this backdrop, the so-called big society will not empower or strengthen communities; it will leave them with more to do, but with only a fraction of their current resources. It is an attack on both the public sector and the voluntary sector, and it will cause real hardship for millions of people.
Mike Short
National officer, community and voluntary sector, UNISON
