The Labour Party Conference provided a valuable opportunity for NCVO to represent our members, push for a reset of how charities work with government, and engage with key policy discussions. Here’s our round-up of the key conversations and takeaways.
At the Labour Party Conference, we shared a clear message: national and local governments cannot deliver lasting change without the charity sector. Charities are deeply embedded in communities, understand what works, and provide flexible, creative solutions to challenges. We are the social fabric that enables people, communities, and economies to thrive.
We emphasised the need for a renewed partnership with government – one that supports both collaboration and independence. Sustainable funding is crucial for charities to continue making a long-term impact. Without this, we cannot fully support the communities that rely on us.
Throughout the conference, we heard that charities are growing impatient for change. Many organisations expressed frustration at being underfunded while providing essential services. Too often, charities are viewed as cost-effective providers rather than the experts they are.
At our event, civil society called for:
At an event hosted by VODG (Voluntary Organisations Disability Group), disability organisations raised the issue of detaining autistic people and those with learning disabilities in locked units. Rooted in lived experiences, the message was urgent: invest in community-based support and end reliance on for-profit companies that detain individuals against their will.
We also heard about the independent Neighbourhoods Commission, set up by Local Trust. After years of underinvestment, doubly disadvantaged communities need sustainable funding and investment in community workers to empower people and build resilient local networks.
On a panel with NCVO, Serco, Demos, and Nesta, we discussed how mission-driven government can succeed. Nesta stressed the importance of:
Central government must collaborate with local authorities, not abandon them.
Labour’s speeches struck an optimistic tone, but they were constrained by the uncertainty of the upcoming budget. Ministers highlighted their ongoing efforts, focusing on cross-departmental collaboration to achieve key missions.
New Labour MPs, including an unpaid carer, a former think tank director, and a campaigner for Joseph Rowntree Foundation brought fresh perspectives on governance. They emphasised collaboration, lived experience, and the need for both impatience and humility in government. It will be interesting to see how these voices shape policy in the coming months.
Next, we’ll be attending the Conservative Party Conference to continue building cross-party support for charities and volunteering. Our focus is to ensure that the voices of charities are heard by decision-makers across all parties.
If you have questions or insights about how we can continue to influence government policy, please contact policy@ncvo.org.uk. Your input is essential as we strengthen relationships between government and civil society.
