Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing praises voluntary sector
Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing has praised voluntary groups for not only being cost effective but very often providing a better service because those running the group do so purely because they want to.
Mrs Laing, who was speaking during Cabinet Office Questions in the House of Commons, cited the work of Epping Forest Home-Start a good example.
Mrs Laing was supported by Nick Hurd, Minister for Civic Society, when she said that voluntary organisations provide a lot more than just value for money.
Mrs Laing asked: “Does the Minister agree that voluntary groups set up by people who do what they do because they want to, and because they have a lifetime of experience in the field - one example is Home-Start in my constituency - often fulfil their roles not only in a more cost-effective way, but better than others?”
Mr Hurd agreed saying: “Absolutely. Value is reflected in two ways, in terms of cost and in terms of the effectiveness of the support that is given.
“In my experience, volunteer-led organisations enjoy a different level of trust among the people whom they are trying to help.”
FULL TEXT:
Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest) (Con): Does the Minister agree that voluntary groups set up by people who do what they do because they want to, and because they have a lifetime of experience in the field—one example is Home-Start in my constituency—often fulfil their roles not only in a more cost-effective way, but better than others?
Mr Hurd: Absolutely. Value is reflected in two ways, in terms of cost and in terms of the effectiveness of the support that is given. In my experience, volunteer-led organisations enjoy a different level of trust among the people whom they are trying to help.
