|PIC1|The government has announced an increased commitment to funding third sector organisations. In the future the norm will not be one-year, but three-year funding agreements.

Faithworks representatives were present to hear the Chancellor Gordon Brown make his Pre-Budget Speech yesterday.
The event also included the launch of a report on the future role of the third sector in social and economic regeneration, as part of HM Treasury's Third Sector Spending Review.

Faithworks warmly welcomes this report, and the improved commitment to third sector organisations, which will bring increased stability to local community groups who are delivering vital services 'on the ground', including many Faithworks members.

In October 2006, Faithworks recommended this change when it delivered a consultation to feed in the views of faith groups on the government's Third Sector Spending Review.

"It is heartening to know that our voice has been heard," the organisation said.

The report also paid tribute to the special role of faith-based organisations in the community, and reiterated the government's commitment to faith groups.

"Faith communities can make a difference in ways governments cannot; in the ways they reach out to excluded communities, build the confidence and abilities of those who volunteer, and provide innovative solutions to the new problems that society faces.

"The government wants to address the barriers faith communities experience to participation in civic life, including in accessing sources of funding, and wants to increase and improve the wide range of services that they provide to members of their own faith and to the wider community."