A new report published today (September 4) – commissioned by the TUC from London Metropolitan University – exposes the impact on LGBT services of the government’s austerity measures.
Staying Alive: The Impact of Austerity Cuts on the LGBT Voluntary and Community Sector in England and Wales is the first major investigation into the impact of spending cuts on the sector, which relies on central and local government sources for around half its funding.
The research found that the direct effects of austerity include the running down of financial reserves, reductions in services and to service levels, staff cuts, casualisation of the workforce and a greater reliance on volunteers. This has led to reduced employee morale, high staff turnover, loss of expertise and difficulties finding alternative funding sources.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “LGBT services were already coping on a shoestring, receiving just 4p in every £100 of voluntary-sector income. Some LGBT service providers now say they’re barely ‘staying alive’ and only a minority are optimistic that their future situation will improve.
“We are on the brink of a crisis with the financial reserves of many services running down and government plans for further rounds of austerity in danger of pushing them over the edge.
“While Britain has made great strides for the LGBT community in some areas, such as the right to equal marriage, we can’t afford to be complacent. Prejudice has not yet been eradicated and it helps perpetuate problems like higher rates of homelessness and mental illness in the LGBT community. This means LGBT services remain vital, and are at times a lifeline for people who need specialist support and have nowhere else to turn.
“LGBT services are funded from such a wide variety of national and local government sources that the complexity may be masking the true impact of cuts. The Equalities Minister, Nicky Morgan, must ensure the government does the work needed to see clearly the full picture and intervene where necessary to protect the vitality and reach of LGBT services.”
Dr Greg Ussher, METRO Chief Executive, added: “We welcome the publication of the Staying Alive report highlighting how the LGBT voluntary and community sector is being affected by public spending cuts. As a charity providing a range of services to LGBT people and the largest single provider of direct services to LGBT communities, we were very pleased to take part in the study and we are very concerned about it’s findings.
“Cuts to public services, coupled with welfare and health reforms, have all taken their toll. Our biggest concern is the impact that we see on people every day as austerity bites and our determination to ensure that our doors remain open to them grows. It is a real challenge. Demands on our hardship funds have grown from gay and bi men living with HIV and we are seeing more and more LGBT people affected by welfare reform.
“We know that local authorities are in a difficult position and that difficult funding decisions are affecting many communities. The impact of discrimination means that LGBT specialist services remain essential, alongside work to ensure access to and inclusion in mainstream services.
“I also know that our sector is resilient and full of very committed people. We will be creative and determined to meet the challenges head on whilst continuing to make the case for LGBT people and communities.”
To read a copy of the report, CLICK HERE:
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