"Dysfunction, lack of planning and lack of leadership" SDLP Leader Claire Hanna @ClaireHanna takes aim at Executive saying "hugs and sympathy" isn't enough as community and voluntary sector face uncertainty over future funding

⚠️🗣NEW: 'People are in tears. Brexit was bad enough. I am pleading.' Hundreds face losing jobs in ‘political standoff.' 🎥🎤Chief Reporter @jamesgould23 speaking to CEO of the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action, Celine McStravick. 📍Community and voluntary groups have gathered at Stormont this morning over impending funding cuts. It comes as a key funding scheme is being replaced this week, with cash for voluntary groups set to be cut by 64%. The sector warns this will lead to hundreds of job losses. The Stormont Executive and community sector have called for the decision to be reversed but the Government says the Executive has the means to provide extra support if it chooses. Today, the message was clear: “Time is running out.” The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) will be replaced by the Local Growth Fund on 1 April. In 2023, EU funding to charities and community groups in Northern Ireland through the European Social Fund (ESF) ended as a result of Brexit. It was replaced by the UKSPF, which will now in turn be replaced by the Local Growth Fund. The new fund has a 70/30 capital-to-revenue split, resulting in significant cuts to day-to-day funding for the voluntary and community sector.

🚨🗣NEW: 'I’m sad to say some people will die. I don’t think the Government care.' - 'Imminent crisis' ahead of cuts 🎥Chief Reporter @jamesgould23 speaking to David Babington, CEO of @amhNI. ⚠️Community and voluntary groups have gathered at Stormont this morning ahead of looming funding cuts. A major funding programme is due to be replaced this week, with support for voluntary organisations set to fall by around 64%. Mr Babington says a local solution is urgently needed. The sector warns the changes could lead to hundreds of job losses. Both the Stormont Executive and representatives from the community sector have called for a rethink, but the Government insists the Executive has the flexibility to provide additional support if it chooses. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) will be replaced by the Local Growth Fund from 1 April. EU funding for charities and community groups in Northern Ireland, previously delivered through the European Social Fund (ESF), ended in 2023 following Brexit. That funding was replaced by the UKSPF, which is now being succeeded by the Local Growth Fund. The new scheme operates on a 70/30 capital-to-resource split, leading to significant reductions in day-to-day funding for the voluntary and community sector.