Joint letter to the Chancellor ahead of the Autumn Budget

On 23 October, National Voices wrote to the Chancellor, Rt Hon Rachel Reeves ahead of the Autumn Budget. In our letter we highlighted the importance of working with people and communities and the VCSE organisations representing them to democratise decision making in health and care. 

The letter, also sent to Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, puts forth three main asks for the Treasury to ensure the third sector, and those it advocates for, have the resources needed to support the Government’s ambition of “halving the gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest regions in England.” 

These are:

Maintain VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance investment

We urge the Treasury to maintain investment in the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance to continue a strong relationship with the VCSE. Through their networks, Alliance members serve as a key link with thousands of people, communities and VCSE organisations across England.  

Read more about our role as joint coordinator of the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance here. 

Introduce measures to reduce the health impact of the rising cost of living

The cost of living crisis continues to take a terrible toll on people living in the most deprived areas of the country or from the most marginalised and minoritised groups. Our letter suggests a series of measures to make a meaningful difference to ensuring people stay healthy during this economic squeeze and to ensure costs to the NHS and wider economy do not continue to rise. 

Review legacy donation mechanisms

VCSE organisations are increasingly reliant on legacy donations. We are hearing concerns from our members that any planned changes to inheritance tax may inadvertently impact on the volume and likelihood of legacy donations in a sector that is most reliant on this income stream. 

The letter is signed by 65 health and care organisations, representing a variety of health conditions and communities.