Anna Fowlie on the UK Government's attempts to re-set its relationship with the sector

In January, I was at the Labour Party’s civil society summit in London.

It was largely aimed at an England-based audience, and I was struck by the air of desperate hope in the room. Voluntary sector leaders in England had been subject to a toxic and hostile relationship with the UK Government, quite different to what we have experienced in other parts of the UK. It’s no wonder that there’s an urgent need to reset the relationship with the new government in Westminster.  

There was a much better atmosphere at Downing Street last week for a conversation with the secretary of state for communities, media and sport and a reception with the prime minister. Both spoke constructively, positively and respectfully about the important role the voluntary sector plays in our society, and the need for an inclusive, strategic relationship with government. 

Quick off the mark, the Labour government has launched a consultation on a new Covenant Framework that sets out the principles underpinning its relationship with ‘civil society’, meaning the voluntary sector. All well and good, but it’s intended to apply UK-wide.

When the vast majority of what the voluntary sector does relates to devolved matters, does it actually mean anything for us in Scotland? 

The answer is yes. For our charities and community organisations working on immigration, welfare advice, international aid and other reserved matters, and on poverty, it should mean a more constructive, respectful relationship. It should lead to meaningful engagement in policy-making and partnership rather than transactional relationships. There are Scottish organisations who get funding from Westminster and some who deliver services in England. I was pleased to see Sabir Zazai from the Scottish Refugee Council at the reception – it really matters to organisations working with refugees and asylum-seekers! 

And of course our communities are impacted by decisions made at Westminster every day, especially around social security, employment and taxation. And financial matters like whatever will succeed the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the settlement Scottish Government receives. 

So while it will matter much more broadly to the sector in England, it will be relevant to many organisations in Scotland.  

The prime minister has said that this covenant will respect similar arrangements in devolved nations. In Wales partnership between the voluntary sector and Welsh Government has been enshrined in legislation for many years, and Northern Ireland are just about to launch a new agreement too. The UK covenant must sit alongside those arrangements, not try to over-ride them. So we are working closely with our sister organisations in the rest of the UK to make sure the devolution message is heard and understood. It would be a shame for something well-intentioned to get off on the wrong footing. 

SCVO’s response will be on our website next week, and if you’d like to respond to the consultation you can do so here.  

Anna Fowlie is chief executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).