Policy & Practice: Briefing - Report on funding turns over oldground

We all know what the voluntary sector needs, don't we? Well, yes: in recent years, the voluntary sector compact, two cross-cutting Treasury reviews, the Gershon Efficiency Review and a National Audit Office report have highlighted issues for the funding of the voluntary and community sectors. Crucially, that means stability, appropriate timing, full cost recovery and reducing the burden of bureaucracy. Various recommendations have been implemented, but it seems the everyday practice of government departments and public funding agencies has just not changed enough. Government departments also remain confused about the distinction between "grants" and "contracts" and when it is appropriate to use one or the other. This Treasury guidance is aimed at those bodies, plus local authorities, in another attempt to entrench good practice.