There will be several opportunities for VCSE organisations to have their voices heard over their future and the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

First, the House of Lords will be debating the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on charities on Thursday 30 April at 11:00 and charities are being encouraged to contact peers in order to raise issues with them.

The debate will be taking place in a Zoom meeting and won’t be broadcast live. A full list of scheduled debate speakers can be found here.

Secondly the recent Labour party leadership contest saw Rachel Maskell MP appointed as Shadow Charities Minister.

Ms Maskell has announced that she will be holding weekly surgeries for the VCSE sector, the first of which took place on 28 April 2020.

To book an appointment, email: Rachel.maskell.mp@parliament.uk

The surgeries will create opportunities for organisations to share their experiences of the current crisis and how they will need support to continue to provide services to their communities.

Writing on her website, the MP for York Central said: “No matter how large or small, all charities are facing serious challenges at this time. I want to create an opportunity for organisations across the sector to talk through the challenges that confront them, how they require support from Government and wider society and their long term aspirations, and champion their work in Parliament.”