HC Deb 03 June 1980 vol 985 c615W
28. Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what encouragement he is giving to voluntary assistance within the social services.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

Volunteers and the voluntary movement play a crucial and indispensable role in the social services. It has been estimated that the input to the social services from the voluntary sector exceeds that of the statutory agencies. I seek to encourage this in every way open to me, including maintaining the real value of the Department's financial contribution to the voluntary sector; urging local and health authorities at every opportunity to do likewise and to work in close partnership with voluntary and community groups; urging voluntary bodies in the social services to exploit fully the Budget measures designed to increase charities' donation incomes; and urging the community generally to increase the support—in both money and service—that it offers to the social services.

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