THE voice of Scotland’s voluntary sector has called for “fair funding” today after a survey reveals organisations forced to postpone or cancel services amid funding delays and dwindling reserves. 

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations’ (SCVO) latest tracker shows 28 per cent see funding delays and cuts as their top challenge, with 35 to 40 per cent of saying it led to services being postponed or even cancelled.

That challenge has driven a growth in the number of bodies holding less than six months reserves growing to 58 per cent, while 57 per cent admit their use of reserves is unsustainable.

Ahead of its hustings next week, SCVO chief executive Anna Fowlie called for the next Scottish government to adopt the multi-year inflation-linked Fair Funding model “as a matter of urgency.”

She said: “Scotland’s charities, community organisations and social enterprises are a fundamental cornerstone of our society and economy. 

“This research shows a growing fragility which is detrimental to us all. “It’s time to give these organisations, and the people they serve, the respect and stability that they need.”

The Scottish government was contacted for comment.