Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Farmer (Conservative). It was answered on Monday, 13 January 2025.

National Insurance: Charity Sector

Question: My Lords, the state contracts out important family services work in prisons to charities, as they are more trusted by families and by the prisoners they are visiting. However, these contracts are so skimpily financed that increased, unbudgeted NI costs will likely mean many charities are forced to hand them back to the Government. Will additional funds be made available to bridge that shortfall so that agreed work can be delivered without risking charities’ financial integrity?

Answer: The noble Lord gives a powerful example of the valuable work that charities undertake. It is hugely difficult for this Government to find ways of filling the £22 billion black hole. The Charities Minister has met representatives and we are keen to work with and hear from individual charities where they have concerns, so if the noble Lord has specific examples that he would like to share with me, I ask him to get in touch.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 842 c913
Session: 2024-26
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Charities Employers' contributions Hospices Citizens' advice bureaux
Link: View this Oral question on hansard.parliament.uk