08 September 2009

Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands Labour MSP is voicing her concerns as it emerges that the SNP Government are looking to cut Voluntary Sector funding in rural areas by 70%.

Mrs Grant said: "It appears that the overall budget is to be cut and the formula by which allocation is distributed is to be changed.

"This means the overall pot will decrease by 30% - a cut which is wholly disproportionate.

"By changing the formula rural areas will be hit by the change of allocation which will distribute funding by local authority area rather than by organisation.

"Remote rural areas tend to have a higher number of CVSs per Council area due to the vast distances to be covered."

Mrs Grant added: "This will lead to many of these organisations closing which will mean a drop in support to voluntary organisations.

"Many of these areas a disproportionately dependent on the voluntary sector due to their geography.

"Therefore this cut will affect their economies and services.

"This SNP Government need to come clean on these cuts."