Press releases
Minister for Civil Society move to DCMS
Commenting on the transfer of the role of minister for civil society from the Cabinet Office to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, which represents charities and volunteering, said:
We have always championed charities and the remarkable things they do for our society to every part of government. Charitable giving, volunteering and social action are part of the social and cultural heritage of Britain. Charities contribute to economic growth and run high quality, user-oriented public services. They can play an important role in delivering the ambitious social justice programme that Theresa May set out in her first speech as prime minister.
Peter Kellner set to be new chair of NCVO
The renowned journalist and political commentator Peter Kellner is set to become the new chair of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, the representative body for charities, community groups and volunteering, it was announced today.
Mr Kellner succeeds Martyn Lewis, who has served as chair of NCVO for the last six years.
His appointment follows a competitive process led by NCVO’s president, Tanni Grey-Thompson.
The appointment, for a three-year term, is subject to ratification at NCVO’s annual general meeting in November.
Brexit implications – briefing from NCVO
Implications for charities and community groups from the Brexit referendum include political uncertainty, slow progress on government policy change, and potential financial challenges, according to a new briefing from NCVO.
NCVO responds to Charity Commission research on public trust and confidence
Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations said:
Charities have listened to public concerns – and have taken concerted action to ensure that members of the public can have complete confidence in what they do.
Charities, and all that they achieve, only exist thanks to their supporters and the wider public. We must ensure that all charities – regardless of size or sector – are well-run and well-regulated and that the mistakes of last summer are not repeated.
Read more: NCVO responds to Charity Commission research on public trust and confidence
NCVO: Charities must help bridge divisions in society
Charities have a crucial role to play in healing the divisions that the referendum has exposed, said Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.
Commenting on the referendum result, Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, said:
The referendum has thrown into sharper contrast than ever previously a division in the United Kingdom. Questions of social mobility will rightly now come to the fore again. And we can hope that the racial tensions stoked so crudely and cruelly during the campaigning do not linger, but the risk of this is clear. Charities must now play their role in healing these divisions. They can and must help people in the communities they work with to understand, respect and cherish each other.
Read more: NCVO: Charities must help bridge divisions in society
National week of celebration to thank the UK’s volunteers
Organisations across the country are holding events to thank volunteers for their dedication and contribution. Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the millions of volunteers who give up their time in the service of others. Events are taking place across the UK from 1–12 June to mark Volunteers’ Week, which this year is running for an extra five days to coincide with the Patron’s Lunch on 12 June.
Read more: National week of celebration to thank the UK’s volunteers
Charities should be central to NHS decision-making and delivery, says new government-backed report
Charities and social enterprises should be deeply involved at every level of the health and care system, according to a new report backed by Alistair Burt, Simon Stevens and Duncan Selbie.
United Nations Director-General backs Constructive Voices
The UN Director-General has welcomed NCVO’s Constructive Voices project and the positive contribution of the charity sector. Speaking after a meeting of top journalists, editors and figures from the charity and social enterprise sectors convened by Constructive Voices, Michael Møller, a strong advocate of constructive journalism said:
I very much welcome Constructive Voices and that it is championing constructive, solutions-focused journalism at the very moment that this trend towards a more balanced kind of journalism is picking up steam. It’s clear from the comments at the meeting that the voluntary sector has a valuable role to play in contributing solutions to society. I hope the media take note of that.
Read more: United Nations Director-General backs Constructive Voices
Sector leaders set out expectations for anti-advocacy 'pause'
There must be clear and comprehensive consultation on the anti-advocacy clause and on any proposed changes to it, NCVO, Acevo and SEUK said today.
In a joint statement, the sector bodies said:
The government's pause on implementation of the anti-advocacy clause is a welcome move and we are pleased that they have acknowledged the need for further review.
Read more: Sector leaders set out expectations for anti-advocacy 'pause'
Joint statement from NCVO, Acevo and SEUK on anti-lobbying 'pause on implementation'
Responding to the announcement of a 'pause on implementation' on the anti-lobbying clause, NCVO, Acevo and Social Enterprise UK issued a joint statement:
Following correspondence with the Cabinet Office, we are pleased to see that the government has 'paused on implementation' of its anti-lobbying clause.
We continue to call for the full and immediate withdrawal of this policy. The clause, as it stands, goes much further than it says on the tin and will deter many charities and social enterprises from making representations to government and parliament.
Read more: Joint statement from NCVO, Acevo and SEUK on anti-lobbying 'pause on implementation'
