Big Squeeze

The Big Squeeze survey is a snapshot of the current impact the economic and policy climate is having on the voluntary and community sector in London and the people that use their services. It suggests that Londoners are being negatively affected by recent local authority cuts, welfare reforms and unemployment.

Big Squeeze 2012

Big Squeeze 2012 full report

Big Squeeze 2012 executive summary

Big Squeeze 2012 press release

In previous years, our reports summarised the survey results and included recommendations for policy makers, commissioners and LVSC. Reports also included other research used by funders, policymakers and the VCS. Our previous surveys led to changes in policy, revision of funding decisions and increased awareness of London's VCS's work.

Last year's Big Squeeze survey showed how Londoners and the VCS services they use have been hit harder than ever. For example:

81% said the demand for their services had increased in 2010-2011;
51% have closed services in 2010-11;
54% expected more services to close in 2011-12;
77% expected public sector funding of their organisation to decrease in 2011-12, with those giving a figure expecting a median 31-40% cut;
97% said the economic climate had a negative impact on their clients in 2010-11.

The trends initially predicted in the 2009 report were confirmed by other more detailed research and the responses and case studies collected in 2010 and 2011, which also suggested that negative impacts were becoming worse, particularly for those Londoners already suffering the most disadvantage.