The Glasgow Disability Alliance has said questions remain over how it will provide core services beyond this month.
Charity leaders have urged the Scottish Government to “act now” as those providing frontline services face a funding cliff edge this month.
Glasgow Disability Alliance (GDA) have said that they are still awaiting a funding decision from the Scottish Government which could affect as many as 5,500 disabled service users and members.
The issue was raised on social media as many funding decisions for third sector organisations rumble into March and toward the end of the financial year.
Tressa Burke, the CEO of GDA, said the situation was “Very challenging for the wellbeing of members, staff and board” and “completely outwith our control”, but underlined that the charity was still “delivering and supporting with passion and commitment”.
Writing on social media platform X/Twitter, the charity’s CEO, wrote: “GDA awaiting funding from the Scottish Government affecting 5,500 disabled members.
“It is not ok that funding ends on 31st March and still no communication. It is not OK that we can't reassure disabled staff and members.
“Disabled people's lives blighted by #Austerity #Covid #COL #ActNow.
“Disabled people struggle to self-organise & the fact that we are ourselves disabled people makes that struggle all the harder.”
Ms Burke also claimed that the UK Government had also not yet confirmed future funding beyond the end of the financial year, asking: “How can we plan to continue vital supports to disabled people?”
Concerns were also raised by the CEO of Disability Equality Scotland, Lyn Pornaro. She responded to Ms Burke, writing: “Fairer funding only works if we are told well in advance that funding is secured. Businesses can't run without prior planning. Governments can run without prior planning...why are third sector organisations having to wait!”
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “A funding decision on Glasgow Disability Alliance will be made imminently. We recognise the extremely important work they do to empower disabled people within their own community.
“Unfortunately, the late timing of the budget this year and the challenging financial climate in which we are operating due to UK Government financial mismanagement has meant it has taken longer than we would like to confirm grant allocations. We recognise the impact that this will have had on organisations and workforces.
“Through our approach to Fairer Funding, we have already committed to improve the clarity and consistency of our grant-making practices for third sector organisations in receipt of Scottish Government funding which includes notifying bodies of funding arrangements by 31 March.”
The UK Government did not respond to requests for comment.
