Category Archives: civil society

Government’s Civil Society Strategy Looks as Hollow as its Big Society

Let’s hope that the Strategy’s publication in August was simply a timing error and not a deliberate attempt to avoid the real agenda and some real action When the Department of Culture, Media and Sport published the long-awaited Civil Society Strategy, it is telling that it chose a date during the summer recess. August is… Read More...

Does the DCMS understand or care about civil society?

The government should commit to much more than it is doing in its consultation on civil society, writes our columnist. Civil society is vital to our social, economic and environmental wellbeing, so it is appropriate that the government should have a strategy to support the development of a strong, sustainable civil society, and indeed it… Read More...

Memo To New Minister For Civil Society

The Prime Minister has appointed John Glen as the new Minister for Civil Society. This a very important role though it has not always had the recognition nor political clout it should have. One hopes that this will change under Mr. Glen’s tenure. This tenure may be short if the Government does not last and… Read More...

Economic growth unsustainable without strong local charities

Reading the recently published House of Lords Select Committee report on charities (‘Strong Charities for a Stronger Society’ – http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/john-tizard/house-of-lords_b_15708240.html) and recent New Start articles on regeneration, social and economic investment and localism, I have been struck by the correlation between them. It is increasingly accepted that economic regeneration and growth must not only be… Read More...

A Shared Society Has To Offer Hope, Opportunity And Social Justice Not Fear, Inequality And Austerity

David Cameron launched his “Big Society” initiative only to let it wither on the vine of government. Through the “Big Society” he wanted an increased role for volunteers, voluntary social action and charities taking over from the state. Over his period in office public sector financial support for the voluntary and community, and wider charity… Read More...

Local Social Action Is More Vital Than Ever – And So Are Its Champions

If ever there was a time for bold, brave focussed leadership in the voluntary and community sector, at both national and local level, surely it is now?

And this must particularly be case in respect of the local community and small charity sector, which are the backbone of strong communities and the catalyst for local social action.

Given contemporary social and...