Most adults in the UK think the government should listen more to charities, according to new research, but many want to see tougher regulation of bad practice in the sector.
A YouGov poll of the public, published today, found that 59% of adults in the UK think the country would be able to tackle its long-term challenges better if government were to listen more to the nation’s charities.
The poll, conducted for Pro Bono Economics (PBE) and the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), found that 36% of people think charities are best-placed to understand the issues affecting people in the UK today while 30% said that charities should be more involved in decision-making.
But when asked which issues they would most like to see the government prioritise, 35% said strengthening regulation aimed at cutting down bad practice within charities.
Some 32% said that the government should encourage more wealthy people to support charities, while 24% said it should prioritise charities that work in the most deprived areas.
“A charity sector which works hand-in-hand with policymakers across all parts of government would lift the voices of people who find it most difficult to be heard and ensure that a greater proportion of society’s problems are stopped before they start,” the report says.
“This is the essence of ending sticking plaster politics. And when crises do inevitably occur – whether for individual families or entire countries – an equal partnership of government, business and the charitable sector would mean people emerging more swiftly and less affected.
“Ultimately, by supporting charities and other voluntary organisations to operate at their potential, the next government can invest in moving more people into good work, in improving the health of the nation, in making our communities safer and more welcoming, and in spreading hope throughout our younger people. In doing so, they will be investing in a better Britain.”
YouGov polled 1,088 UK adults between 19 and 26 December 2023 online, with figures weighted and “representative of all”.
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