Delay to public spending review criticised by NCVYS

The organisation says the delay will effect youth groups' ability to plan ahead not just in terms of the delivery of services but also for their own financial survival.

NCYVS policy and communications head Faiza Chaudary said: "A delay in the scheduled comprehensive spending review could mean less time to plan for the delivery of much needed services and could place some voluntary and community organisations in an even more vulnerable position as they attempt to plan for the future."

The delay was announced this week by Lord Mandelson on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

He confirmed that the review will be held off until after the general election, saying that the current economic instability made it too difficult to assess long-term spending plans.

It is widely expected that public spending will be subject to severe cuts when the current plans run out at the end of 2011, in a bid to address record levels of government borrowing.

Conservative leader David Cameron has branded the delay as "political deceit".

"It's a blatant attempt to cover up the truth about Labour's cuts," he added.

Debbie Jones, chair of the Association of Directors of Children's Services Resources and Sustainability policy committee, said: "Given other causes of instability in the sector at present, including recruitment problems in children's social services, the economic situation and the real possibility that this will see a rise in the demand for services, any certainty would be greatly welcomed.  Having said that, predictions based on a flawed assessment of the economy that are later adapted to the real situation would be equally problematic in terms of forward planning."

Jon Sibson, partner and head of government and public sector at consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers, said the public sector would have to think about how to deliver "more for less."

He said: "Although it is no surprise that next year's spending review has been postponed until after the election, public sector leaders should not let this create planning paralysis. There will be pressure on public expenditure, so all public organisations need to make plans now to minimise the impact on front line services."