Glasgow Disability Alliance warn government funding uncertainty may force charity to make staff redundant.
A Glasgow-based disability charity has said it could be forced to make 72% of its workforce redundant as uncertainty over government funding grows.
Glasgow Disability Alliance (GDA) supports over 6,000 people in the city but says it is becoming increasingly difficult to provide services due to financial constraints.
The charity said that 85% of the staff impacted are disabled workers.
GDA’s chief executive Tressa Burke wrote in the Herald on Sunday outlining the challenges facing the charity - with a warning that seven staff could be lost as early as March.
She said the potential cuts are “shocking and shameful”.
The organisation told the newspaper that there remain struggles to make up funding originally provided by the Scottish Government’s Covid-19 grants and the Social Isolation and Loneliness Funding, with GDA awaiting news on the future of its core grant funding from the Scottish Government’s Equality Inclusion and Human Rights fund.
GDA’s chief executive said in the Herald: “I am bewildered by the juxtaposition of disabled people’s overwhelming need for support, and the GDA’s track record in meeting those needs, with the current state of funding for our organisation.
“It is unthinkable that during this Disability History Month, Glasgow Disability Alliance is preparing to make redundant more than 40% of its staff who deliver vital support for wellbeing and access to services.
“And there could be more – we are awaiting news of our core grant from the Scottish Government’s Equality Inclusion and Human Rights Fund.
“If this is not protected, another six staff will be affected. In total, 72% of GDA’s entire staff are at risk.
“In total, 85% of staff facing redundancy are disabled people, including myself. Our sister Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) Inclusion Scotland and Disability Equality Scotland are in the same position and this is shocking and shameful given our roles.”
The concerns come after GDA and other disabled persons’ organisations withdrew from a working group with the Scottish Government which sought to address inequalities in access to work energy and vital equipment.
A Scottish Government Spokesperson told the Herald: “We recognise the multiple barriers disabled people face every day and we appreciate the work of Disabled People’s Organisations, including Glasgow Disability Alliance, in helping us lay the necessary foundations for systemic change.
“We have regular engagement with Glasgow Disability Alliance, and other Disabled People’s Organisations, including on a working group which is looking at the viability of a social tariff mechanism to help those affected by fuel poverty.
“Confirmation of funding to all our key partners and stakeholders will be made as soon as possible after the Budget statement on 4th December.”
