Committee Welcomes Inclusion of Charity Shops in High Street Voucher Scheme

The Assembly’s Committee for Communities has today welcomed a commitment from the Minister for the Economy, Diane Dodds MLA that local charity shops are to be included in the High Street Voucher Scheme.

The Minister underlined her commitment in a response to a letter from the Committee which noted the severe impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on local charities and social enterprises.

Speaking after today’s announcement, the Committee Chairperson Paula Bradley MLA said:

“Charity shops have been a fixture on our local high streets for many years and the service they provide and work they do in supporting local and national charities cannot be overestimated.

“Even before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, they and the local charity sector as a whole were facing extreme financial pressures and challenges.  We are therefore delighted that the Minister has taken the decision to ensure that they will be included in the High Street Voucher Scheme when it launches in early 2021.”

The Chairperson continued:

“Charitable organisations have largely been an afterthought throughout this current crisis and while the Covid-19 Charities Fund has provided much needed relief, we must ensure that they continue to get the financial support they require to provide their essential services to our local communities.”

The Chairperson concluded:

“As we approach the festive season, our thoughts inevitably turn to all of those that are vulnerable and for whom charitable organisations are often a much needed lifeline.  I would urge everyone to remember their local charity shops in the coming weeks and months and to continue to support them as much as possible, including through the use of the High Street Voucher Scheme.”  

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

The Committee for Communities membership is:

Paula Bradley MLA (Chairperson)

Kellie Armstrong MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Andy Allen MLA

Mark H Durkan MLA

Alex Easton MLA

Sinéad Ennis MLA

Fra McCann MLA

Robin Newton MLA

Carál Ní Chuilín MLA

Media enquiries to:

Sinead Murphy
Deputy Communications Officer
Northern Ireland Assembly
Phone: 028 9052 5938

Mobile: 078 998 64368

Email: sinead.murphy@niassembly.gov.uk