Maria Miller, MP for Basingstoke has welcomed news that money from the Government’s Big Society Transition Fund will support the voluntary sector in Basingstoke. The funding, part of the third wave of payouts from the £107 million Transition Fund, is being paid out to the Basingstoke Consortium Limited.

The Basingstoke Consortium Limited is a charity which provides work-related learning and enterprise skills to young people, especially those who are not in education, employment or training.

Although three quarters of charities receive no public funding, the Government is determined to protect those charities, such as the Basingstoke Consortium Limited which are most vulnerable to public spending cuts.

The Transition Fund provides grants to these organisations to allow them to prepare for the future opportunities opened up by the Big Society. The money will fund the crucial changes that charities need to make to take advantage of the new opportunities available to them from opening up public sector contracts. So far more than 900 charities nationally have received support from the Transition Fund. 

Maria said: “I’m pleased that the Government is committed to supporting charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises across the country despite the necessity of dealing with Labour’s disastrous economic legacy.” 

She added: “It’s great to hear that the Basingstoke Consortium, which does such important work with young people will receive £93,000 of funding. This is fantastic news.”