Nearly a third of Yorkshire charities have lost their independent voice amid fears that speaking out could make them look political or lead to funding cuts, according to new research.
A total of 32 per cent of voluntary and community sector organisations are now self-censoring, not challenging decisions and avoiding speaking out, according to a study by Involve Yorkshire & Humber.
Nearly half said they did not want to appear “political”.
Judy Robinson, of Involve Yorkshire & Humber, said it may mean the voluntary sector will be less involved in policies and planning.
A representative from an organisation that supports the community and voluntary sector in Yorkshire told researchers: “We have been quite cautious both as an organisation and as part of a consortium of third sector providers because of concerns about reprisals.
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