Question reference: S6W-23223
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 27 November 2023
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Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 12 December 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that its funding decisions regarding support for the voluntary sector are issued no later than December, and that any funds are paid no later than the start of the tax year in April.
Answer
In the 2023-24 Programme for Government we have committed, as part of developing an approach to fairer funding for the third sector, to deliver improvements in grant-making arrangements, including providing greater clarity and consistency of practice.
We understand that organisations need timely grant decisions and payments in order to reduce financial uncertainty and effectively resource delivery.
In line with the commitment given by the First Minister, we are working, within the context of the Scottish Budget process, to issue notifications of funding arrangements to third sector organisations, as soon as is practicably possible and no later than end of March for funding beginning on 1 April.