Umbrella organisations for the voluntary sector in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are putting pressure on the UK government
National third sector bodies have come together to call for the UK to remain in the single market and customs union.
In a joint statement, the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) and Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) have made a plea for a hard Brexit to be avoided.
The organisations have said there are wide-ranging concerns about the impending withdrawal from the European Union, and set out a series of measures they believe will avoid or minimise potential harm to communities.
The statement includes calling for a sufficient transition period to avoid uncertainty, transparency around decisions made about the relationship with the EU and that funding must be continued for projects which focus on social cohesion, combating poverty, social inclusion, rural community-led development, employability and the environment.
Lucy McTernan, acting chief executive of SCVO, said: “Many of the people third sector organisations represent fear a weakening of the rights and protections they currently enjoy as EU citizens and worry their voices will not be heard in negotiations.
“We believe that the UK needs to stay in both the single market and the customs union, to keep the economy strong, ensure free movement of people, secure important funding, maintain hard won rights and allow us to continue building partnerships and learning from our friends and colleagues across the continent.”
The statement also highlights the need for membership of the single market and customs union to be retained, as creating a hard border in Ireland could have a major impact on communities.
“It is vital that solutions are found to ensure no hardening of borders on the island or with Great Britain and which do not undermine the peace, stability and co-operation brought about by the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts,” said Seamus McAleavey, chief executive of NICVA.
The statement also calls for continued close co-operation between European civil society and no regression of human or environmental rights post-Brexit.
Ruth Marks, chief executive of WCVA, said the three organisations should work together to influence the UK government.
She said: “Whilst each devolved nation will have its own domestic concerns over Brexit, it is important that we work together as a sector to better engage with and positively influence the crucial debates that lie ahead.”
