A group of national volunteer-based charities has written to prime minister Keir Starmer, urging the introduction of 35 hours of paid statutory volunteering leave per year.
Sea Cadets, Girlguiding, St John Ambulance, and the Scout Association have all backed the initiative, which aims to make it easier for people to volunteer without financial barriers.
The charities also called for the introduction of a volunteering levy – modelled on the apprenticeship levy – to ensure large employers contribute, either by offering paid volunteer leave or financially supporting national volunteering initiatives.
Cross-party MPs including Labour’s Emma Lewell-Buck, the Liberal Democrat’s Richard Foord and Democratic Unionist Party chief whip Sammy Wilson also signed the letter.
‘Vital services at risk’
In the letter, the charities highlight a recent fall in volunteer numbers nationally, which they say is putting essential community support at risk.
The letter reads: “Volunteering leave is already a key part of many workplaces, so legislating for it more widely would help raise that standard of experience for all employees across the country and be a powerful demonstration of the government's commitment to enabling and empowering civil society.
“We therefore call for the government to commit now to the introduction of 35 hours per year of paid statutory volunteering leave, potentially combined with a volunteering levy, as part of its wider programme to empower civil society, and succeed in its five core missions.
Sea Cadets CEO Martin Coles said: “Volunteers are the backbone of our communities – from St John Ambulance units and Scout groups to food banks and support networks for hospitals.
“Yet, without greater support, these vital services are at risk.
“The introduction of statutory volunteering leave would empower more people to step forward and give back to society.”
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