NAVCA has issued a six point test for local Healthwatch to make sure they are genuine grassroots bodies. To pass the six point test, the Government needs to amend the Health and Social Care Bill so that local Healthwatch organisations are not ‘statutory bodies’, which would create over 150 new local quangos. The tests include making sure local authorities take an intelligent, strategic approach to commissioning local Healthwatch, to give a strong voice to patients and local communities and to build on the current good work undertaken by LINks.

NAVCA has published the six point test as the Health and Social Care Bill is going through the House of Lords. There have been suggestions that the new bodies will lack teeth if they are not statutory. NAVCA rejects that view and is clear that there is no need for local Healthwatch to be statutory bodies - they can still have statutory powers. NAVCA believes that a network of vibrant community led organisations, answerable to local people, will have far more bite than over 150 unaccountable quangos.

NAVCA’s six point test also focuses on the commissioning process for establishing local Healthwatch. The legislation, subsequent regulations and guidance should make clear that it is inappropriate for local authorities to go out to open competitive tender on short term contracts for local Healthwatch. This is because local Healthwatch needs to be embedded in local communities. It takes time to develop wide and inclusive patient and public involvement and this would be jeopardised by short term contractual arrangements, which are also bureaucratic and wasteful. Using rolling grant funding agreements would avoid this. They need only terminated in the event that local Healthwatch is ineffective or in breach of its obligations to the local community.

NAVCA’s test requires clear guidance on commissioning local Healthwatch, involving early and wide engagement with local stakeholders, including LINks, host organisations, the voluntary and community sector, patients, service users and local communities.

Katy Wing, NAVCA’s Director, Improving Local Services and a member of the Healthwatch Programme Board said:

“By applying the six point test for local Healthwatch, the Government can be confident of creating successful, genuine grassroots bodies. To pass the test the legislation needs an amendment that will mean local Healthwatch organisations are not statutory bodies. Creating local Healthwatch as statutory bodies would make them creatures of the state - and we don’t want over 150 new local quangos.

Local Healthwatch needs statutory powers, so that they have teeth, but they also need enough independence from government to be led by local communities and accountable principally to them. Applying our tests would ensure local authorities commission local Healthwatch in a way which gives patients and the public a strong voice”.

NAVCA’s six point test for the legislation, regulations and guidance to ensure local Healthwatch organisations are strong, independent and genuinely grassroots.

1. Does the legislation enable the creation of powerful, grassroots organisations accountable first and foremost to local communities? Or does it create over 150 local quangos accountable primarily to local government or HealthwatchEngland?
2. Is there clear guidance for local authorities on how to go about commissioning local Healthwatch, that involves early and wide engagement with local stakeholders, including LINks, host organisations, the voluntary and community sector, patients, service users and local communities?
3. Will it be made clear that open competitive tendering on short term contracts is inappropriate for local Healthwatch? You cannot simply ‘buy’ a local democratic mandate.
4. Will local authorities be able to maintain ‘host’ arrangements, where these are working well?
5. Will local Healthwatch be able to act independently and effectively challenge the local authority, NHS bodies, commissioners and providers of health and social care services?
6. Do the new arrangements recognise the achievements of existing LINks and support a transition to ensure we build on what has worked well?

The BIG Fund has now released the results of the bidding for the Transforming Local Infrastructure bids.

Joe Irvin, Chief Executive of NAVCA said;

“Congratulations to all those involved in the successful bids and commiserations to those who have been unsuccessful. We always knew only a limited number of awards were available. What has been remarkable is the way that NAVCA members have supported each other through this process. Our members have demonstrated yet again the selflessness with which they go about their mission of supporting local voluntary action.”

“NAVCA will continue our work with all members to help them be successful and sustainable organisations. We will be working with the successful areas to help them make the most of this opportunity. For those members in areas that have been unsuccessful we will help them find other ways to be able to maintain and improve services.”

“Ultimately what is important is that local charities and community groups can get whatever help they need, wherever they are, so they can continue their good work in their communities.”

A NAVCA report highlights the part its members play in bringing together the local voluntary sector to strengthen its voice. A survey carried out in November finds that most places have a local voluntary and community sector forums thanks to the work of the local NAVCA member. Local voluntary and community sector forums enable local groups to work together, support each other and exert influence over local decision makers. NAVCA’s survey shows that forums exist in 85% and that 84% of them were established by a NAVCA member.

Voluntary sector forums help improve services through their input into decisions about public service design and delivery, benefiting both service users and providers, which is many councils fund and support these forums. However, the survey shows that even when there is no funding for this work, it is so important our members do it. Half of the NAVCA members who support local forums do so without receiving any direct funding for this.

Neil Cleeveley, NAVCA Director of Policy and Communications, said:

“Giving local charities and community groups the chance to have their voice heard is vital work for NAVCA members, particularly those that speak up for the most disadvantaged people and communities.

“This report shows that it is NAVCA members doing this work up and down the country. The challenge for NAVCA and our members now is to make sure that the local voluntary sector has a strong influence over local decision making in every part of the country.”

Key findings from the survey are

• 88.5% of members said there was an LSP in their area, 90% of these have VCS representation.
• 85% of areas have a VCS forum.
• 84% of VCS forums have been established by NAVCA members.
• NAVCA members have a network of 160,933 local charities, voluntary organisations and community groups.

Read the full report

Joe Irvin, NAVCA’s Chief Executive, has welcomed comments by Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government that he will make public his disapproval of the cuts Nottinghamshire County Council has made in their voluntary sector budget. Eric Pickles also said that he will be writing to the Council. The comments came in response to a question from Joe Irvin at the New Local Government Network (NLGN) annual conference on 25 January.

Last year the Government issued Best Value Statutory Guidance saying that lcal authorities should not pass on disproportionate cuts to local voluntary and community groups. In Nottinghamshire the council has made 34% cuts to their voluntary sector grant aid budget. Cuts which Deputy Leader Martin Suthers admitted in Third Sector magazine are disproportionate. NAVCA has been campaigning to get the Government to intervene in Nottinghamshire for several weeks.

Joe Irvin, NAVCA’s Chief Executive, said

“I am delighted that Eric Pickles has said he will make his disapproval of these cuts public and also write to the council. We know that budgets are tight but local charities should be treated fairly.

“We have been campaigning with our local Nottinghamshire members since before Christmas for the Government to intervene in this case and I am delighted that Eric Pickles responded to my question in such a positive way. I hope that the County Council will listen to the Secretary of State and re-examine their decision.”

Read the letter NAVCA sent to Eric Pickles in December

Find out more about the Best Value Statutory Guidance

Joe Irvin, NAVCA’s new Chief Executive, yesterday met with Nick Hurd MP, Minister for Civil Society. Joe took up his post last week and this meeting was an early opportunity for Joe to discuss with the Minister the key issues that NAVCA and the government are working on.

Following the meeting, Joe Irvin said:

“It was a really encouraging meeting, Nick is clearly a minister that both myself and the sector as a whole can work with. We discussed members’ areas of concern and actions we could take to help members. He told me that NAVCA is one of the most important strategic partners.

“Nick has been kind enough to make time to meet me in just my second week in post as NAVCA Chief Executive. I think this shows the high regard that NAVCA is held in, as well as the importance of our relationship with the Office for Civil Society.”

Joe Irvin also met later in the day with Gareth Thomas MP, the Labour Shadow Minister for Civil Society.

NAVCA’s new Chief Executive was quoted in yesterdaysObserver expressing NAVCA’s Work Programme concerns. The Work Programme, the government’s scheme designed to tackle unemployment, has come under fire from a number of local charities. They believe the large private prime contracting companies are treating unemployed people unfairly by failing to make proper arrangements with the local charities working to help them get back to work.

Joe Irvin, NAVCA’s Chief Executive said;

“It is really important that we represent the views of our member and local charities and voluntary organisations. There is increasing concern over the Work Programme and the relationship between the big private companies who are the prime contractors and the local charities who are delivering much of the work to get people back to work.

“The fact a national newspaper is raising this shows it is an important issue. NAVCA will continue to speak out on this issue and I am really grateful for the information that NAVCA members have provided. We need strong evidence to be able to make this case, please help NAVCA by continuing to send me your evidence and information.” 

Read the article and what Joe said.

Joe Irvin, has taken up his post as NAVCA’s new Chief Executive. He takes over from Kevin Curley who is retiring after 9 years in the post. Joe has quickly set out his priorities.

Joe said, “My job is to help NAVCA members through these hard times so that local voluntary and community action can survive and thrive in the future.

“NAVCA is here, first and foremost, to serve our members. I want to build upon the great work that NAVCA already does and look at how we can communicate more effectively with members. I want to make sure our actions are always guided by members.

“Secondly, we all know that we are in really tough times. I am a firm believer that we are stronger when we work together. This applies to organisations as much as it does individuals. There is a responsibility on NAVCA and other umbrella organisations to improve the way we work together, so we give better support to the sector in this time of real need.”

NAVCA, ACEVO and NCVO have written a joint letter to all local authority chief executives to remind them of the need to follow the Best Value Statutory Guidance when reviewing voluntary sector budgets. The guidance is important because it offers local voluntary organisations and community groups some protection from badly imposed cuts.

The letter, signed by the chief executives of all three national umbrella organisations highlights the key points of the statutory guidance that requiring local authorities to:

• Consider overall value, including economic, environmental and social value, when reviewing service provision
• Consult representatives of a wide range of local persons at all stages of the commissioning cycle, including decommissioning
• Avoid passing on disproportionate reductions by not passing on larger reductions to the voluntary and community sector and small businesses as a whole, than they take on themselves
• Give at least three months notice of funding reductions
• Follow the commitments in your local Compact

Neil Cleeveley, NAVCA’s Policy and Communications Director said;

“We have already seen the impact of the Best Value Statutory Guidance in Derby. The local voluntary sector used the Guidance to challenge council cuts and grants to 16 local charities were extended as a result. Every NAVCA member should make themselves familiar with this guidance. You should be prepared to use it if your local authority is making unfair budget decisions.”

• Read the full letter
• Read more about the Best Value guidance
• Please continue sending in information about cuts in your local area to cuts@navca.org.uk

The Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) at Sheffield Hallam University and NAVCA are working together on a research project to better understand the contribution giving and philanthropy might make to local social action.

The research aims to understand and provide the basis for strengthening the contribution NAVCA’s members can make in promoting giving and philanthropy at a local level for the benefit of frontline organisations. This is an exploratory project and runs over three phases:

i. a review of the current evidence base around initiatives to promote local giving and philanthropy;

ii. case study research in three localities to explore specific approaches which have been used; and

iii. A reporting and dissemination phase which seeks to identify lessons for NAVCA’s members as well as policy makers and foundations.

The research is funded by Sheffield Hallam University’s Knowledge Exchange Programme which seeks to promote collaborative research in emerging fields of enquiry.

04/01/2012

NAVCA has welcomed the new proposals from the European Commission for revised public procurement directives, published on 20 December 2011. The proposals follow last year’s consultation by the European Commission and they recognise that social, health and education services have specific characteristics that do not fit with the current procurement rules. NAVCA believes these proposals will make it easier for local charities and voluntary organisations to deliver public services.

NAVCA particularly welcomes the proposed recommendations that the threshold for social, health and education services is significantly raised to EUR500,000 (from EUR200,000) and that only basic principles of transparency and equal treatment should be applied to the way these services are purchased. NAVCA campaigned for these changes in the EU procurement rules to help local charities and voluntary organisations and last year urged local voluntary and community sector organisations to get involved in the consultation. NAVCA believes these proposals give contracting authorities more flexibility and will allow them to give recognition to social value and the other benefits that local voluntary sector delivery can bring.

NAVCA also supports the Commission’s proposal to introduce a need to explain why contracts above EUR 500 000 have not been divided into lots, which would support local charities delivering public services. We also support the new regulations, that if implemented, would reduce environmental and social damage, for example, the ability to exclude bidders for breaching social, labour or environmental laws.

Kevin Curley, Chief Executive of NAVCA said;
“EU procurement rules have a massive impact on charities and voluntary organisations, which are increasingly involved in the delivery of public services. The Commission has shown that is aware of the problems many local charities have with commissioning

“These recommendations are a great step forward to making it easier for commissioning bodies to undertake the ‘intelligent commissioning’ processes that we have always campaigned for. Processes that recognise the true value that local charities and voluntary organisations bring to local public service delivery”.

• Read the full proposals from the Commission
• The Cabinet Office is also inviting comments to inform its negotiating position
• Read NAVCA’s original consultation response

NAVCA has written to Eric Pickles, the communities secretary, asking him to intervene in the case of Nottinghamshire County Council, which has made disproportionate funding cuts to the local voluntary sector. These cuts go against the government’s own policies to support charities and voluntary organisations through the Big Society agenda.

In the letter, Kevin Curley says that Nottinghamshire County Council has cut its budget for supporting the voluntary sector from £3.2m in 2010/11 to £1.4m in 2011/12, a reduction of 56 per cent. This percentage cut is very much higher than overall cuts made by Nottinghamshire County Council to its own services.

Kevin Curley’s letter also says the cuts to the voluntary sector budget were made before the introduction in September of the Best Value statutory guidance from the government, which says councils “should seek to avoid passing on disproportionate reductions by not passing on larger reductions to the voluntary and community sector and small businesses as a whole, than they take on themselves”. The letter points out that had this guidance been available before the cuts were made, the local voluntary and community sector “would have been in a position to challenge the council”.

Eric Pickles is urged in the letter to ask Kay Cutts, the leader of the council, to reinstate some of the voluntary sector budget, so that the cut in voluntary and community sector funding is in proportion to the cuts the council has made in its own services.

Read the full letter

The House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee has published its report into the Big Society. The report examines how Whitehall is responding to the Big Societyand whether the government is on track to meet its objectives. NAVCA submitted evidence to the committee and the report extensively quotes Kevin Curley, NAVCA’s Chief Executive, who gave evidence to the committee.

The report says that the Big Society will not occur overnight, it will take a generation. It says that the government has failed to communicate this and the public are confused by it. The Work Programme has also caused the voluntary and community sector to express serious reservations about the implementation of the Government’s ambitions in practice.

It calls for a single Big Society Minister with a cross-cutting brief, to drive through the Big Society agenda and an impact assessment, applied to every Government policy, statutory instrument, and new Bill, which asks the simple question: “what substantively will this do to build social capital, people power, and social entrepreneurs?” The report warns that without this the Big Society agenda will fail.

Kevin’s evidence is quoted frequently in the final report, including his warning that social investment will not adequately replace other traditional methods of funding being cut and the problems local charities were facing with commissioning.

Kevin Curley, Chief Executive of NAVCA, said:

“I really appreciated the opportunity give evidence to the committee and try to explain what was needed to support local voluntary action. I am gratified that the committee have listened to my evidence and have come out so strongly with recommendations to help the ‘little society’.

“They have understood the problems local charities and voluntary organisations face with the commissioning agenda, particularly with the work programme. This report supports the arguments NAVCA has been making for the last 18 months. If the Big Society is to succeed the government must act in support of ‘little society’. That means commissioning policies need to help local organisations not just the big nationals.”

Read the full report

NAVCA’s Board of Trustees are delighted to announce that they have appointed Joe Irvin as the new Chief Executive of the organisation, with the forthcoming retirement of Kevin Curley. Joe has a rich and varied background in senior posts having worked as Director of Parliamentary affairs for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Director of Public Affairs at the British Airports Authority, Chief Special Adviser to John Prescott (as Deputy Prime Minister), Director of Policy at the Transport and General Workers Union, and in the 10 Downing St Policy Unit.

Mike Martin MBE, Chair of NAVCA, said:

“After the outstanding contribution of Kevin Curley to the cause of local voluntary action, trustees were looking for a candidate who could bring fresh thinking and new skills to steer NAVCA through the difficult times ahead. With his senior leadership experience in Government, the corporate and not for profit sector we believe we have found just such a person in Joe. Among a strong field of candidates, we were looking for someone who would put the interests of our members and the people they serve at the heart of NAVCA’s operations. In addition we sought someone who could work across organisational and political boundaries because partnership is central to our approach. On both counts Joe was completely convincing.”

Joe Irvin said:

“I am delighted to be taking up the reins as Chief Executive of NAVCA - one of the most important posts in the voluntary sector. People really value what we do in local voluntary and community action - in health, housing, disability and social care, championing communities, combating poverty and inequality, conserving our heritage and the environment, giving consumer or employment advice, and working with children and young people. But organisations are facing huge challenges in a time of austerity. NAVCA has built a tremendous reputation under Kevin’s leadership. It has excellent staff and an impressive set of trustees. I will be putting all my experience and effort into supporting NAVCA’s members and ensuring the local voluntary sector’s work is recognised and supported.”

NAVCA Chief Executive, Kevin Curley, has praised a council’s plan to give savings from the public sector strike to voluntary and community sector groups fighting poverty.

The idea came from trade union members in Newcastle and has won the support of the council - meaning up to £100,000 could now go to hard-pressed community projects tackling poverty, reducing worklessness and improving neighbourhoods in deprived areas.

NAVCA is urging all other public service employers who will benefit from strike savings to follow this example.

Kevin Curley said: “It would have been very easy for Newcastle City Council to quietly pocket the savings from the strike.

“The fact that they followed the advice of their unions and put that money into local voluntary organisations shows real leadership and a genuine concern for the people who are suffering most from the public spending cuts.

“Voluntary organisations across the country are struggling to maintain their services as their funding gets squeezed.

“I hope others in the public sector will follow Newcastle’s lead and put their savings to good use by supporting voluntary organisations tackling poverty. If they do it will bring much needed resources to the most deprived communities.”

24/11/2011

Kevin Curley made his final address to a NAVCA Conference after 40 years in the NAVCA movement this week, at NAVCA’s Annual Conference in London. Kevin first spoke at a NAVCA (NACVS) Conference in 1971.

In his speech Kevin stressed that although sometimes you need to bite your lip he said that he firmly believed that “we achieve more at the table inside the town hall than if we stand outside the town hall banging on the door and waving a placard.” He did add that NAVCA members also support campaigning.

However, although we may compromise on the means Kevin was clear that we must not compromise on the values. Our values “sit beneath everything we do and say. They help us to steer a course through confused waters. They bind us together.”

Kevin ended his speech by saying that NAVCA members “embody the very best of localism.  Localism built on the right values. Unchanging values for rapidly changing times.” He added that NAVCA members great strength is their values, confidence and belief “in the potential for independent local voluntary action to transform people’s lives and people’s neighbourhoods”.

Kevin’s final message to members was that “the cuts will draw blood but no transfusion will be needed. The wounds will heal. And you, your organisation and this movement will be strong and will continue to fulfil its mission”.

Read the full speech

At All Change, the Department of Health Voluntary Sector Strategic Partners conference held at Hotel Russell on 21 November, Paul Burstow, Minister for Care Services, used his keynote speech to announce an extension to their £3.5 million Strategic Partner programme for 2012-13.

The Strategic Partners programme directly funds twenty five national charities. It was launched in April 2009 to improve communication and dialogue between the Department and voluntary sector health and social care organisations across England.

Katy Wing, Director - Improving Local Services, said

“I am delighted to hear this announcement. The Health and Social Care Bill is bringing about fundamental change. This announcement shows that the Minister understands how vital the voluntary and community sector is to the reforms.

If the sector is to have a major role in shaping and delivering future health and social care services, now is the critical time to engage with the emerging health and social care structures. This programme supports this work, allowing voluntary organisations, including NAVCA, to continue to influence the department’s thinking.”

Read more about theStrategic Partners Programme

Find out more about NAVCA’s health and social care work

NAVCA evidence to the Communities and Local Government Select Committee’s Regeneration Inquiry has been reflected in the committee’s published findings. The report was published last week and points raised in NAVCA’s written and oral evidence were picked up and endorsed by the committee. In some cases, NAVCA received direct credit for its views and in others similar points have been made by the committee or other witnesses.

The report is highly critical of government policy. It says that Ministers have no adequate strategy to address the complex problems faced by England’s most deprived communities and that if further resources for regeneration are not found, there is a risk that major problems will be stored up for the future.

Kevin Curley, Chief Executive of NAVCA said

“Making the case for more investment in our most deprived areas is a top priority for NAVCA and our members. Regeneration is about the support given to the poorest communities. Local voluntary organisations and community groups do invaluable work supporting the most deprived communities. Big Society should mean the state supports this work through regeneration strategies to address the underlying causes of poverty.

“I am proud of the influence NAVCA has had on this report.”

• Our view: NAVCA said the government’s consultation paper lacked strategic direction.
• The report’s view: The Report picked this up on p 8/para 8 and is referenced in footnote 15.

• Our view: NAVCA drew attention to the effects on communities of abandoning programmes like the Housing Market Renewal Areas
• The report’s view: The Report picked this up in a section on ‘Stalled Scheme’ from p 24/ para 50 onwards.

• Our view: NAVCA complained about Government figures on regeneration expenditure being artificially inflated in the consultation document.
• The report’s view: The Report is severely critical of this and on p16/ para 31 onwards draws attention to severe and abrupt reductions in expenditure.

• Our view: NAVCA warned against a ‘fire sale’ of RDA assets in advance of enactment of the Localism Bill.
• The report’s view: The Report references NAVCA’s written evidence in p 42/ para 98 and recommends that CLG issues guidance to national public bodies on how public land can be used for regeneration.

• Our view: NAVCA made several points on the importance of voluntary organisations and community groups in community led regeneration in both oral and written evidence.
• The report’s view: The Report references NAVCA’s concern at the neglect of community-led regeneration p 47/ para 115 and the way voluntary organisations and community groups have been side-lined by new initiatives such as the LEPs p 48/para 117.

Understanding public law will be vital for local charities and community groups as they brace themselves for another round of public spending cuts. NAVCA, the national charity for local umbrella charities, has teamed up with leading law firms Doughty Street Chambers in London and Irwin Mitchell in Sheffield to provide training to help local voluntary organisations combat the latest round of cuts.

For several years, public law has been used to challenge local cuts and reverse unlawful decisions. In Southall, Birmingham and Leicester, local authorities have had to reverse cuts after challenges promoted by local charities. As recently as last week, the Isle of Wight Council’s plans to reduce its adult social care budget were declared unlawful. A case led by one of the speakers at the events, Alex Rook of Irwin Mitchell.

There are two events, one in London on 7 December and the other in Leeds on 10 January. They will give charities and voluntary organisations the knowledge they need to use public law to defend funding and services for disadvantaged and vulnerable people. These events build on NAVCA’s successful public law training programme, a five year partnership with the Public Law Project. The events also form part of NAVCA's support to members in the face of local funding cuts.

Kevin Curley, Chief Executive of NAVCA said:

“NAVCA has been at the forefront of efforts to help local charities and voluntary organisations to understand and use public law. Our ‘Evaluating the Voluntary Sector’ training programme on using public law and the Compact has saved the sector hundreds of thousands of pounds over the last five years. More importantly it has helped local public bodies and voluntary organisations to improve working relationships because they both know what to expect.

“This project has come to the end of its funding. However, we believe this is so important we are continuing to fund the work ourselves, whilst looking for partners to help support it. These events will enable NAVCA to support many more charities and voluntary organisations facing unlawful funding cuts.”

Find out more about the events

NAVCA and the Local Government Association have today launched a new free publication called At Your Bidding to mark Trustees’ Week (31 October - 6 November). At your Bidding is a guide for charity trustees about commissioning and tendering for public services. It focuses squarely on the key issues that individuals need to be aware of in fulfilling their duties as charity trustees. All trustees of local charities are encouraged to download a free copy.

Produced by NAVCA’s Local Commissioning and Procurement Unit, experts in local commissioning, the publication is not a detailed technical manual on ‘how to tender’. Instead, it is a practical guide designed to give trustees the information they need at a time of significant change within the public sector. The guide provides information to allow trustees to understand the potential implications and impact of commissioning on their charity. The publication also gives information to trustees to help them bid for service contracts and make sure their organisation is ‘tender and contract ready’

Pauline Kimantas, NAVCA’s Local Commissioning and Procurement Unit manager said,

“Our work means we understand the issues that trustees face when making decisions about local commissioning and tendering of services. Often the pace of change is overwhelming.

“NAVCA has always argued that commissioning processes must include smaller local charities because we know that this is what gets the best results for local communities. To achieve this we need trustees of local charities to understand commissioning. We are delighted that the Local Government Association has supported us to produce this practical guide. Their support means that we can offer this to all trustees for free, a great way for us to mark Trustees Week.”

NAVCA Chief Executive Kevin Curley  has signed a letter, along with other civil society leaders, calling on David  Cameron to support a Robin Hood tax when it gets discussed at the G20 summit.  The G20 are meeting in Cannes on the 3-4 November. Leaders from the  world’s major economies will gather to plan the next steps on how to boost the  global economy.

NAVCA has long been a supporter of  the Robin Hood Tax campaign, which calls for a tiny tax on financial  transactions to tackle poverty at home and overseas.

Kevin Curley,  Chief Executive of NAVCA, said,

“NAVCA supports this campaign  because this will help create a fairer society. We recently had the report  showing the massive pay increases business leaders are enjoying. This is at a  time when most of us are watching the pennies and cutting back spending. The  Robin Hood tax is a tiny tax - but can bring about some real help for those that  most need it.”

Read a copy of the open letter to  David Cameron