Welcome for Lord Hodgson’s Task Force report on cutting red tape

Wednesday, 18 May 2011

Chief Executive, Justin Davis Smith, said:

“This is an imaginative and lively report that will ring true with the experiences of volunteers and those who support them. It is a very welcome contribution to the debate on how we can reduce the regulatory burden that has built up over the years.

“The report’s focus on reducing risk aversion and allowing common sense to prevail reflects the approach that Volunteering England has been calling for and we look forward to working further with the Task Force and government on the specific recommendations.

”In particular, the recommendation that a ‘reasonableness test’ for volunteers should be explored is a much needed first step to reassuring people that their good intentions will not place them at risk of litigation.

“If implemented, Lord Hodgson’s recommendations will support volunteering organisations to have the confidence and capabilities to challenge overly bureaucratic judgements and guidance. Along with recognition by the volunteering sector that we too have a role in reducing our own bureaucracy and unnecessary red tape, this is a powerful opportunity to make it easier for communities to help themselves through volunteering and social action.”

A number of the recommendations are directly related to the work Volunteering England has been doing in recent months under the umbrella of its Free volunteering from red tape campaign:

• We have been working with the Department for Work & Pensions, Cabinet Office and Jobcentre Plus to ensure the rules about volunteering while claiming state benefits are understood by all involved. The recommendation that there should be clear, public information is therefore a welcome step. We are also glad that there is recognition that Jobcentre Plus needs to work with the voluntary sector to manage the potential burden on organisations such as Volunteer Centres from wholesale referral of unemployed people.
• We have been working with the Community Transport Association and the Association of British Insurers to tackle the issue of insurance for volunteer drivers, and are grateful for the contribution that the Task Force has made in bringing together all the relevant parties. We hope that the Government takes the opportunity to establish a working group on insurance in general and look forward to making a substantial contribution.
• We have been calling for increased portability of Criminal Records Bureau checks and welcome the recommendation of a ‘CRB Passport’. The report’s recognition that ‘trust and judgement’ have an important part to play will support organisations in managing the safeguarding of volunteers and their service users.
• We are also happy to note the report’s acknowledgement that the private sector has much to offer in terms of managerial expertise and support to voluntary sector organisations. Our work on skills based employee supported volunteering has already established the benefits that such partnerships bring to all involved and we will continue to work with our partners to realise the Task Force’s vision.

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18 May 2011