P R E S S R E L E A S E
For immediate release
Friday 28th September 2018
‘BANK OF ENGLAND MEETS WITH HAMPSHIRE CHARITIES TO DISCUSS ENSURING A BRIGHTER ECONOMIC FUTURE FOR DISADVANTAGED LOCAL PEOPLE’
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) hosted a visit by Andy Haldane, Chief Economist of the Bank of England on 24th September 2018 at The Winchester Hotel. The visit was part of the Bank’s Outreach Programme, to meet and listen to a wide variety of people from different communities and backgrounds across the UK.
Earlier this week Andy met with 20 HIWCF partner representatives from voluntary organisations and community groups across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, to debate some of the challenges facing the voluntary sector, to help the Bank better understand and consider the impact of their policy decisions on local communities.
To see photographs and cartoons from the meeting, please go to: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/events/2018/september/townhall-visits-to-winchester-walworth-and-islington-september-2018
Representation came from organisations including HIWCF, Andover Foodbank, Basingstoke Neighbourcare, Citizens Advice Hampshire, Action Hampshire, Home-Start Hampshire, Disability Voices Hampshire, Winchester Nightshelter, Off The Record and Community First.
A wide range of issues which are impacting communities within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were discussed including the impact of recent changes in the welfare system, the lack of availability in social housing, concerns over educational standards and business readiness of younger people in being able to lift themselves out of poverty, concerns over smaller charities’ abilities to invest in long-term training for staff and volunteers, poverty and isolation in an ageing population, the effect of pay day loans on vulnerable people, issues for charities in opening a new bank account, the time constraints for charities in tendering for new funds, and the loss of EU funding for projects run by smaller charities.
Andy Haldane, Chief Economist of the Bank of England commented “The policies of the Bank impact on everyone’s daily lives including the cost of mortgages and food, the value of houses and the availability of jobs. Over the last few years we have been shifting our focus on to the community, charities and citizens to look into how well the financial sector is serving this section of society. The meeting gave us an insight into some of the difficulties facing smaller local charitable and voluntary organisations, which represent a crucial part of the economy, and the conversation and debate from the meeting will feed into the discussions of the Banks policymakers.”
Grant Cornwell MBE, HIWCF Chief Executive said “We are delighted to partner the Bank of England in engaging with smaller grassroots charities and voluntary organisations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, to ultimately affect policy making to help create a brighter economic and financial situation and bring better opportunities for disadvantaged people in our local communities. It is clear from our meeting that the voluntary sector makes up a key part of the economy as a whole, yet it often gets overlooked in the shadow of the private and public sector. A consistent charity policy with clear policies and communications at all government levels is key if the voluntary sector is to continue to play a successful central role in delivering local projects and services.”
Find out more about HIWCF at www.hiwcf.com
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About Andy Haldane
Andy is the Bank of England’s Chief Economist. He is a member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) which sets interest rates in the UK. Andy was born in Guiseley, Yorkshire in 1967. Growing up in Yorkshire at the time of the 1980’s recession, he saw the damage a weak economy can do to people’s lives and the role that policy can play in supporting them. That is still his passion.
Andy attended Guiseley School and studied Economics at the University of Sheffield and the University of Warwick. Andy founded Pro Bono Economics, a charity which seeks to improve the impact of charities’ work. He is married with three children and his interests include football and cricket.
About the Bank of England
The Bank of England has been the UK’s central bank for over 300 years with a mission to promote the good of the people of the UK. The Bank has a range of responsibilities and powers. These include setting interest rates to keep prices table, printing bank notes and overseeing a safe financial system. For more information on any of the functions of the Bank take a look at the KnowledgeBank website by visiting: http://edu.bankofengland.co.uk/knowledgebank/
About Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation
The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) is an independent charitable trust established to inspire local giving for local need. The region contains areas of deprivation in the worst 10% in the country and the Foundation continues to target grant-making towards those most in need.
The Community Foundation works both with donors who want to give something back to their local communities and voluntary groups providing vital services for local people where often a few hundred pounds can make a real difference to their lives. Companies, individuals, families and trusts can establish a fund with the Foundation, which supports a growing programme of grant-making to communities. HIWCF is part of a national network of 46 Community Foundations, one of the fastest growing philanthropic movements in the UK. Local groups can take a look at the HIWCF website to see if they might qualify for a grant: www.hiwcf.com or email HIWCF at grantsadmin@hiwcf.com
Registered Charity No: 1100417 – Registered Company Number 4534462
