Nick Clegg, MP for Sheffield Hallam, has voiced concerns in Westminster on behalf of Action Housing, on the uncertain future of small-to-medium sized service providers.

Nick, who is also the Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, met staff and service users at Action's Sheffield project in January to discuss the issue and has since written to the Department for Communities & Local Government to raise the matter further.

Among Action's concerns are that smaller service providers risk being forced out by the larger national organisations that are benefited by an increasingly competitive sector.

Another fear is of further funding cuts to the Supporting People programme, following the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review later this year. If cuts are made, it will be the smaller organisations that are hit hardest.

In response to the risk, organisations like Action Housing are keen to promote the ‘added-value’ that locally based providers can bring to their services. Thanks to the close links with the communities they work with, smaller providers can be more aware of service user’s requirements and are able to provide genuinely needs-led services.

Action Housing intends to continue arguing the cause for small-to-medium sized service providers and Nick’s support is a welcome boost.

Further links: Budget cuts in spending review could spell disaster for small Supporting People providers, Inside Housing, 9 Feb 07

For further information please contact:

Matt Barker in the Public Relations office on 01709 821251, 07985813045, or Matt.Barker@ActionHousinguk.org