Standing up for Sutton's charities

Sutton Council works closely with many charities, community and faith groups to provide essential services for some of our most vulnerable residents. The work of these groups fundamentally improves the quality of life for Sutton residents and can be a lifeline for those in need.

But the Government is putting all this at risk with its planned increase in Employer National Insurance Contributions (ENICs), announced in its first-ever budget in October.

The current Government says there is a £22 billion hole in the country’s finances because of decisions made by the past Government and rightly this needs to be fixed. The question is how to fix it?  Forcing Sutton’s charities and community organisations to bear the brunt is not the answer.

Community Action Sutton, who speak on behalf of the local charity, community and faith sector in the borough, has written to me about the increased charges, saying they will be catastrophic for Sutton charities and, most of all, the vulnerable residents they support day in, day out.

In Sutton, we are proud of our partnership working with charities, enabling us to deliver effective and high quality public services that meet the needs of our residents. Any threat to their financial stability would not only affect those who rely on them, but would also place additional financial pressures on local councils at a time when our own budgets are stretched to breaking point.

Along with our local MPs and working through London Councils and the Local Government Association, I will continue to put pressure on the Government and ministers to consider the damage the proposed increases will have on our residents who need help.

The increase in ENICs for Sutton’s charities will mean either the cost of services to the council and the local taxpayer will have to increase, or their services to residents will have to be cut. The Government must think again.