A focus on the future: new VODG report on the impact of Brexit

VODG have launched a new report documenting the impact of Brexit on voluntary organisations.

The report builds on the findings derived from consulting the membership immediately after the EU referendum result in order to identify post-Brexit issues and risks. The report reinforces the on-going challenges providers are experiencing. With many disability organisations dependent on public funding there is widespread concern that further expenditure cuts post-brexit will leave the sector in much deeper crisis. With members of the group receiving EU financing to support infrastructure, research and development, there are serious concerns about the future of these programmes. Critical workforce issues are also raised in the report. This includes the retention of existing EU nationals and securing the future supply. VODG cautions that uncertainty within the labour market following the result could reduce providers’ abilities to recruit in the short term. It also emphasises that, in the longer term, there are broader workforce planning requirements necessary to ensure an adequate pool of skilled and caring staff in the future. A further set of issues established in the report focuses on community cohesion and rights. The risks highlighted include social divisions in society, reductions in community cohesion and losing progressive approaches to disability rights. In addition, concerns are raised about distraction to the raft of domestic issues that voluntary disability organisations urgently need Government and policy makers to address. The report documents VODG’s commitment to work on these issues across the sector, outlining strategic priorities and activities in response to Brexit.