Strengthening Scotland’s Third Sector: Parliamentary Motion Passed

Scotland’s Parliament has reaffirmed the vital importance of our third sector – and we’re pleased to share that a strengthened and forward-looking motion has now been agreed. This motion recognises the essential role our organisations play in supporting communities, tackling inequality, and delivering key national priorities, including the eradication of child poverty. (You can read the motion here).

What the amended motion means for our sector

The Parliament has endorsed a series of commitments that directly address the challenges many organisations face:

• Multi-year, flexible funding as the default – covering inflation and full operating costs, reducing uncertainty and enabling long-term planning.
• Reimbursement of increased employer NICs – calling on the UK Government to return an estimated £75 million per year to Scottish third sector organisations.
• Fair work and Real Living Wage – recognising that staff across the sector experience overlapping inequalities and trauma, and deserve secure, fair employment conditions.
• Safety for marginalised groups – acknowledging the threats faced by organisations supporting trans people, migrants, disabled people, carers, and survivors of violence against women and girls.
• Employment impact – highlighting that the sector employs over 130,000 people, offers flexible work, and has a workforce that is 64% women.
• Financial sustainability – noting that many charities rely heavily on donations and fundraising, and that multi-year funding is essential for stability.
• Support for smaller charities – ensuring diversification of funding helps organisations that struggle to access public funding rounds.
• Independence to challenge government – affirming that charities receiving public funds must retain the full freedom to critique and shape public policy.

These additions strengthen the original motion and reflect the lived realities of organisations across Scotland.

What’s next?

This motion is an important step toward a more secure, fair, and sustainable future for Scotland’s third sector. We will continue to work with partners, funders, and policymakers to ensure these commitments translate into meaningful change.

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