IN his mantra about the Big Society, David Cameron has placed great emphasis on the value of charities in plugging gaps in public services.

But voluntary bodies nationwide will surely think twice about taking the plunge in view of the experience of the 700 Club in Darlington.

The 700 Club, which performs an invaluable role in providing accommodation for the homeless, faces ruin after a tribunal ruled in favour of the Salvation Army yesterday.

Before Darlington Borough Council halved its funding for beds for the homeless, the Salvation Army and the 700 Club both operated hostels.

Only one could survive. The contract went to the 700 Club and the Salvation Army’s hostel closed. It was the beginning of a sad and unseemly wrangle over who was responsible for the 18 staff who lost their jobs.

The legal fight has now been won by the Salvation Army, with the tribunal ruling that the 700 Club is responsible for employing the displaced staff or paying them off.

The 700 Club is guilty of naivety for failing to heed the council’s warning that TUPE regulations, governing the transfer of staff, were likely to apply.

But there are moral questions over the richer, more powerful Salvation Army for its uncharitable insistence on pushing the 700 Club into a legal minefield.

The Salvation Army has won its case and saved itself a lot of money.

The losers will almost certainly be the homeless.