21st Century Social Clubs, recently awarded £2.7m from the National Lottery Community Fund, has welcomed Andy Burnham's decision to donate 15% of his MP's salary to local community causes including Stubshaw Cross Community & Sports Club, describing it as a model for other MPs across the country to follow.

Burnham announced that a proportion of his parliamentary salary would be used to support community organisations in his Makerfield constituency, with Stubshaw Cross Community & Sports Club, his campaign headquarters for his recent re-election win, is one of the first beneficiaries. The move continues his long-standing commitment as the Mayor of Greater Manchester to direct part of his public salary towards strengthening local communities.

Commenting on the announcement, Jonny Gordon-Farleigh, founder of 21st Century Social Clubs, said:

"Andy Burnham has recognised something we've been saying for years: social clubs like Stubshaw Cross Community & Sports Club are not just places where people meet to socialise – they are vital civic institutions that bring people together, build community, and where politics can happen at the level of everyday life.

He's sending a clear message that with the right investment and support they can once again be thriving independent businesses, at the heart of their local communities. The next step towards this is using government to unlock significant levels of public investment and advice that can turn around the fortunes of the nation’s clubs.” 

21st Century Social Clubs believes Burnham's announcement should encourage a wider conversation about how politicians can back their local social clubs, financially and otherwise, at a time when these communities all too often feel invisible to Westminster.