The
voluntary sector’s growing economic importance looks set to give it a greater
say in the delivery of public sector services.
Research
by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has revealed that
the UK voluntary sector created 85,000 new jobs in the last five years.
It
also employs 2 per cent of the UK workforce, more than the post and telecoms sectors, and contributes £5.4bn to gross domestic product.
This
comes as the Government is looking at ways to enhance the role played by the
sector in public service delivery and follows an NCVO report suggesting a series
of reforms to the Treasury.
Stuart
Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, said: "The sector makes a
significant contribution to the life of the nation. If this is to be increased...it will be because of the
tremendous added value we can offer.
"The
public knows that the voluntary sector has a unique ability to put users and
communities at the heart of service delivery, utilising its specialist skills
and experience to secure a better deal for beneficiaries."
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