Taylor Vinters - Solicitors

Local and national government bodies should not see the voluntary sector as an easy target for cost cutting, according to one association.

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has warned that many communities would suffer if the statutory funding received by local voluntary groups was reduced to save money during the recession.

A new report by the NCVO, entitled the State and the Voluntary Sector - Recent Trends in Government Funding and Public Service Delivery, shows that around 25,000 voluntary groups receive 75 per cent of their income from statutory sources to fund services like social care, education, housing, employment and training, and law and advocacy.

It suggests that key voluntary services in such areas could therefore be damaged if cost cuts were made.

Stuart Etherington, chief executive officer of the NCVO, commented that services performed by voluntary bodies are often essential to the wellbeing of local communities.

He said: "Ill thought-out cuts would ravage communities across the UK. When developing spending plans, government - nationally and locally - must understand the vital contribution projects run by voluntary and community organisations make."

The NCVO aims to support and give voice to the opinions of the voluntary and community sector in England.