Responses to our open letter on current VCFSE sector instability
On 30th January, we shared an open letter to commissioners in Greater Manchester in response to the instability faced by our sector, asking that they work with us to tackle systemic issues.
We have seen a range of response, including commitments, letters and discussions of support from local councils, NHS partners, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) which highlights commissioners desires to work more closely with our sector to improve support and care for Greater Manchester residents.
Of course, recent developments regarding the abolishment NHS England and significant cuts to local NHS Integrated Care Boards will have impact upon our ask to commissioners, and we are keen to continuing working with our public sector partners to meet Greater Manchester’s ambitions and support colleagues where we can. We don’t yet know what this system overhaul will look like for the VCFSE sector.
The response from GMCA referenced their commitment to the VCFSE Accord, the Fair Funding Protocol and GM Live Well. It notes huge pressure on both budgets and resources which presents huge risk for all involved. It notes that it is vital that “the VCFSE sector continues to work closely in collaboration with the Combined Authority and its partners, so that we can face this difficult situation together in full understanding of each other's position and achieve a resolution that is a result of mutual trust, openness and partnership.” Read the full response from Andrew Lightfoot, Deputy Chief Executive, GMCA.
In their response, NHS GM set out short-term and long-term actions to mitigate current pressures and uncertainties within the sector. We have confirmation that NHS colleagues are progressing the immediate actions. They will also be included in a revised Commissioning Principles Paper which will be shared with the GM VCFSE Leadership Group and Place Leads for further input, and ultimately adopted by the GM integrated Care Board (ICB) as public confirmation of their strategic intent and commitment to the VCFSE sector. Read the full response from Warren Heppolette, Chief Officer for Strategy, Innovation & Population Health, NHS Greater Manchester.
You can find out more about some of the discussion that fed into the NHS GM reply in Accord Officer Susie’s blog on the last Commissioning and Investment Working Group Meeting.
Locally, we had a response from Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor on behalf of all the Mayoral Team and commissioners across Salford City Council, following various meetings with GM VCFSE Leadership Group member, Alison Page, CEO of Salford CVS. The response notes the importance of the VCFSE sector and the Councils willingness to invest in the relationship. The response adds that the Council are developing a Charter to ensure proportionality and consistency in their contract management arrangements for the VCFSE sector. Read the full response from the Salford Mayoral team.
Other conversations are happening at a local level. The open letter was shared with many of the Locality Place Boards and Leadership Teams, as well as local MPs, following advocating from local organisations and local VCFSE infrastructure support organisations. The Deputy Place Based Lead in Bury noted that ‘we hear you loud and clear’, which is positive to hear. This blog shares some great work and opportunities happening around commissioning and investment in localities.
We had a response from Labour MP for Bury South, Christian Wakeford who acknowledged commitment to our sector. He added that he will reach out to Bury VCFA Chief Officer, Helen Tomlinson, to see how he can advocate for and support the sector. Read the full response.
We also saw a response from Angela Raynor, Labour MP for Ashton-under-Lyne and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. The response reiterated government plans for the rise in National Insurance contributions, noting that the Government is also increasing the employment allowance, meaning that 865,000 employers pay no National Insurance at all next year, with over one million paying the same or less than they did previously. She added that Businesses and charities will also still be able to claim employer NIC reliefs, where eligible, and pointed out other relief received by charities. Read the full response.
In terms of other influence, the open letter has been shared with various Boards and GM Leaders, including Councillor Arooj Shah (who has previously publicly advocated on behalf of our sector), the GM Children and Young People Board, the Reform Board, Population Heath Boards, the GM Green City Partnership Board, and more.
What now?
If you’re in the GM VCFSE sector, read the responses to the open letter and cite them in your conversations with commissioners as needed. The latest GM VCFSE Leadership Group Commissioning and Investment group meeting sets out some suggested actions that VCFSE organisations might want to consider:
- Contact all your commissioners about the impact of the increase to National Insurance contributions, Agenda for Change, and NJC pay scale increases, asking for either an uplift to reflect those and general inflation, or a conversation about realistic expectations of the contract for next year.
- Asking if there are specific workforce–related uplifts that can be applied or passed on.
- Seek advice from your local infrastructure organisation if you’re not sure what you can or should ask for.
