A group of national volunteer-based charities has written to prime minister Keir Starmer, urging the introduction of 35 hours of paid statutory volunteering leave per year.
Sea Cadets, Girlguiding, St John Ambulance, and the Scout Association have all backed the initiative, which aims to make it easier for people to volunteer without financial barriers. The charities also called for the introduction of a volunteering levy – modelled on the apprenticeship levy – to ensure large employers contribute, either by offering paid volunteer leave or financially supporting national volunteering initiatives. Read more here.