Letter: Charities: the"contract culture",ethics and raising funds

From Mr David Harker

Sir: I was saddened by Polly Toynbee's tirade against charities ("Charities don't need a contracting role", 17 May).

Her outright attack on charities contracting with the state is misplaced. The growth of what is known as the "contract culture" has had a mixed impact on the charity sector. In some cases it has been damaging, particularly when small voluntary groups have been bullied into punitive agreements by aggressive local authority purchasing managers. But much of it has been positive, bringing charities and voluntary groups as partners into the planning and delivery of social care. As such it has been a move away from the "nanny state", to the enabling state which seeks to provide people with a choice of services provided by a variety of organisations.

The issue of charities using money raised from the public to subsidise services funded by local authorities is amusingly, but inaccurately portrayed as seeking a donation to the local council. Charities are acutely aware of the dangers implicit in mixing funding in this way. Used with skill this can lead to a situation where the local authority can get the service it wants and the charity can achieve its objectives.

Finally, it is inaccurate to suggest that charities with government contracts do not campaign. Many of the most effective campaigning charities are also major service providers. The credibility and the knowledge they gain from running innovative high-quality services makes their campaigns well-informed and effective.

Yours faithfully,

DAVID HARKER

Deputy Chief Executive

Sense, National Deafblind and

Rubella Association

London, N4

17 May