Females: Voluntary Organisations

Ms Abbott
To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what steps she is taking to ensure that Government funding for voluntary women's groups is provided on a long-term basis; and if she will make a statement.

Barbara Follett
The Third Sector Review, published in July by the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office, outlines the commitment by Government to pass on the flexibility and certainty of three year funding to third sector organisations they fund as the norm rather than the exception. Additionally the Office funds a number of Third Sector organisations to represent their voice to Government and one of those is the Women's Resource Centre; which provides voice and advocacy on behalf of the women's voluntary and community sector.

I recognise this is an issue for many smaller organisations who often struggle to provide much needed support.