What does Labour’s general election win mean for charities?

The results are in, and Labour has won the UK General Election in a landslide victory, with the Conservatives facing their worst defeat since 1832.

 

In his victory speech, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Change begins now.” And after years of austerity, change is exactly what the charity sector is expecting from this new Labour government.

 

Earlier in 2024, at the Pro Bono Economics Labour and Civil Society Summit, Sir Keir Starmer delivered the keynote to 150 charity sector leaders, saying he had a vision for how his government would work with charities. He asked the sector to work with Labour as they aimed to achieve a ‘society of service,’ calling the sector ‘essential’ to the party’s plan for renewal.

 

Sarah Elliott, CEO of NCVO, says that while this election result marks a significant shift in our political landscape, and while the dynamics may have changed, the role of charities remains as critical as ever.

 

“Over the past months, we’ve heard Labour commit to wanting to partner with the voluntary sector and that they see charities as vital to delivering against their missions. Now we must be really clear – charities aren’t just here to deliver. We must have a seat at the table from the very start of planning new policy and initiatives, so the voices of communities are heard.”

 

 

Where will a Labour government make the most impact?

 

Writing for charity think tank NPC, Leah Davis, Head of Policy and External Affairs, says that there are five areas which offer “most obvious potential for effective partnerships for change”. Those areas are young people and mental health, criminal justice, health, regional and social inequalities, and the environment.

 

According to Davis, these are also the areas in which charities and funders are in the strongest position to influence and help shape the government’s thinking.

 

Young Minds, the mental health charity for young people, posted on X this morning that they will be holding the Prime Minister accountable on his promise to deliver on the Youth Futures Hubs and calling for a ‘reimagining’ of the mental health system.

 

“You promised early mental health support hubs in every community and reducing waiting times. A step in the right direction. And we will hold you accountable. But young people need so much more. Be bold and be brave. We need you to reimagine the mental health system and tackle the things that make young people’s mental health worse. Your campaign slogan was ‘change.’”

 

 

How charities can work with the new Labour government

 

While the government must deliver on its manifesto, and what voters voted for to put them in power, there is much that charities can do to support Labour’s change agenda.

 

Holly Cameron, Director at Good Policy, believes that charities have a significant opportunity to position themselves as core delivery partners.

 

“The new government will likely want to deliver its public service reforms and improvements at pace to help shore up its support and charities’ insight, data and expertise should be vital here, alongside their role in service delivery.”

 

Charities have already started to voice their desire to work with the government to make life better for the people they support.

 

Gemma Peters, CEO at Macmillan, posted on X: “Congratulations to our new Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The new government has an opportunity to fix our broken cancer care system and transform people’s experience of living with cancer.

 

Time is ticking: we need to see concrete action that brings waiting lists down, and work starting to deliver a funded, long-term, cross-government strategy that reimagines how we treat people with cancer.

 

At Macmillan Cancer, we’re ready to work with the new government to ensure everyone living with cancer in the UK receives the best care in the world.”

 

Holly Cameron, Director at Good Policy, says that now is a prime opportunity for charities to use their incredible knowledge to help new Ministers get up to speed with their briefs and to help add detail to manifesto policies where this may be limited.

 

Sarah Elliott, CEO of NCVO, agrees that the voluntary sector has an army of untapped and undervalued skills and potential, which will help turn this country around. “Government must forge a new relationship with charities where we work in true partnership to build a better society. We stand ready and willing to do this.”