​Survey of MPs reveals division among parties' views of charities

Few Tory MPs would protect charities from spending cuts, a survey has found.

A report for the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) canvassed the opinion of 150 MPs, finding only 23% of Conservatives thought voluntary groups should be supported against cuts to budgets to continue their vital work.

The report also found Labour and Tory MPs have very different views on charities speaking out about government policies.

If charities bear the brunt of savings not only would it be bad for most people’s quality of life, but it would also damage the public purse - John Low

While 93% of Labour MPs said charities should be able to speak out when a government policy negatively impacted on the public, just 33% of Conservatives agreed.

More than 2,000 voters were also surveyed as part of the Under the Microscope – Examining the future of charities in Britain report, with 55% of Tory voters believing that money charities receive from the government to run public services “should not be a focus for spending cuts”.

Elsewhere, the report shows public trust in the voluntary sector has fallen by over 10% in the last 12 months, with 57% agreeing that charities are “trustworthy”.

John Low, chief executive of CAF, said: “Amid controversy about fundraising, charities must act together to ensure they continue to earn and rebuild public trust. But at the same time, we need to protect their vital role in society.

"Charities have seen government funding to deliver public services cut, while at the same time demand for their support has increased.

“Politicians work closely with charities and see first-hand the difference they make. It will be vital that this makes its mark on government policy.

"If charities bear the brunt of savings not only would it be bad for most people’s quality of life, but it would also damage the public purse, which benefits hugely from the work of volunteers and not-for-profit organisations.”