The SNP’s Karen Adam defended Holyrood’s record.
A north east MSP has said charities deserve the backing of politicians as she said organisations should be properly funded.
Writing in her column in the National newspaper, Karen Adam - who represents Banffshire and Buchan Coast - outlined her concerns about the pressures facing groups across the country.
Defending her own government’s record on funding charities, she said more could be done to help groups if greater powers were devolved to Scotland, or through independence.
Reflecting on her time during parliamentary recess, which has included visiting projects and charities, Ms Adam said: “Charities are under pressure. They are being asked to deliver more with less. Rising costs, depleted reserves and the loss of European funding for employability and inclusion projects, which never fully arrived.
“Then there’s the hike in employer National Insurance for charities. That extra cost was imposed from Westminster. Scotland received a Barnett formula-style top-up but it hasn’t come close to covering the real cost. These organisations are running on fumes, firefighting instead of planning.
“At Holyrood, we’re using every power we have. We brought in Fairer Funding, so charities can access multi-year grants instead of scrambling year by year. We renewed the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund so grassroots projects can plan ahead. We protected rates relief, keeping community halls and hubs alive.
“And we continue nurturing culture, because it matters for our wellbeing, identity and unity.
“Charity workers and volunteers need government, at every tier, to see them not as a substitute when services are cut, but as partners in building resilient, healthy communities. And they need a UK Government that doesn’t burden them with avoidable tax hikes and funding gaps they can’t fix.
“The levers that could make real change – National Insurance, VAT policy, Gift Aid arrangements – are all reserved to Westminster. Holyrood has no control over them.
“Our charities are of the people and for the people. You might not always notice it, but scratch the surface of most lives in Scotland, and you’ll find a charity at the heart.
“Let’s recognise that, and treat them accordingly. They deserve our backing, funding, policies and respect. Because in Scotland, we should not just admire compassion, we should budget for it.”
