Riding The Storm 1980s In the late 1970s the UK Government had support for local authorities through Rate begun a period of partnership with the voluntary Support Grant. The ability of local authorities sector. But the 1980s was a time of turmoil. to raise funds locally through taxes known as The incoming Conservative Government of ‘rates’ was also curtailed. Margaret Thatcher in 1979 ended several The economic recession of the early 1980s put initiatives designed to support voluntary work. further pressure on voluntary organisations, The 1978-79 IVAC annual report featured a whilst the need for help was rising as picture of a gravestone with the caption unemployment and poverty rose. The Greater ‘In fond memory – Partnership – RIP’. London Council, which had stepped up The new Government talked of a ‘welfare support for voluntary action, was abolished pluralism’ in which charities might provide a in 1986, to be followed by the Inner London substantial part of public services (echoed Education Authority (ILEA) in 1990. later in the ‘Third Sector’ of the late 1990s and In 1981 several Islington councillors defected ‘Big Society’ in 2010). However, against the from Labour to the newly formed Social background of a recession, this turned in reality Democratic Party (which in 1988 merged into to a ‘contract culture’ where large voluntary the Liberal Democrats), eventually forming a organisations were hired to deliver government majority on the Council. This caused instability contracts such as the Youth Training Scheme. in the local political scene. The new Council Overall direct UK government funding of leadership set about putting 750 council voluntary organisations was in fact increasing properties on the market and selling available (from £93 million in 1979-80 to £292 million property. In the May 1982 elections, a Labour in 1987-88). However, it was concentrated majority was re-established and some of the on large national bodies. Little of this filtered cuts reversed, including funding for Pensioners down to local charities and local authority Link and core grant for IVAC. 2 expenditure was being constrained. [ ] Major cuts were made to some parts of public 2. Crowson et al (2011) ‘The voluntary sector in 1980s spending including welfare benefits and central Britain’ in Contemporary British History 25(4) 491-498 p 449 quoted in Davis Smith 2019 18 Celebrating 50 Years of Service