Charities are a cornerstone of every good society. While government and business have vital parts to play in building the sorts of communities that we want to live in, it’s often the third sector which acts as our social conscience, helping to bring people together and to give a voice to those on the margins.

I’ve thought a lot recently about the role that charities and community groups play in Clackmannanshire and across Scotland. Earlier this month, I spent a day meeting with a range of organisations, their staff, trustees and volunteers to find out more about the vital work they are doing on our behalf.

I met with the Trussell Trust at Tesco in Alloa to support their work in groceries for our local foodbanks.

While this Tory government continues to unjustly punish the vulnerable though imposing unfair benefits sanctions, foodbanks are the only way for an increasing number of families to put food on the table.

It’s heartbreaking that this service is necessary, but their work is inspirational.

I also met with our local Homestart, who provide support for families with young children. Those of us with families know how tough it can sometimes be, and so Homestart provides targeted new families with some extra support and friendship, which is carried out by local volunteers.

Lastly, I stopped by Alloa Community Enterprises Ltd., or ACE as they’re better known. This social enterprise is a fantastic local success story.

They began in 1984 with a £1000 Small Business Grant and a single employee. Today they employ over 40 people, and not only divert waste previously destined for landfill, but also provide furniture packs to 250 local homes every year.

Each of these groups is making a positive impact on our local area in a range of different ways. Their strength is not only their professionalism, but their heartfelt commitment to those they set out to support, ranging from those without food, young families and the homeless.

That’s why it’s important for politicians to listen to charities and to learn from their experience.

So when a range of Scottish charities joined together to speak out about last week’s budget, they needed to be heard. These groups worked with different groups of people, and have different agendas. None promote any political party over another, but all speak up for those they represent.

In this case they spoke as one against a set of Conservative plans which will hit the poorest hardest.

Shelter Scotland called the proposals “shameful”, while Citizens Advice said that “the burden is falling on those who are least able to cope”.

Housing Associations stated that the Budget will “make it harder to escape the poverty trap”, while the Child Poverty Action Group declared that these measures would mean “higher child poverty for millions and lower taxes for the better off”.

A society should be judged by how it treats the most vulnerable. On the basis of last week’s budget, the verdict on this government is damning indeed.