We have commented today on the National Audit Office’s report on Central Government’s implementation of the national Compact.
Sir Stuart Etherington, our Chief Executive, said:
"This is an important report which the Government should consider in detail. It is good that departments are already undertaking activities to implement and promote the Compact, but it is also clear they must act quickly to do more. We expect the recommendations to be implemented in full and will be looking to the Office for Civil Society to take the lead on this...
On Tuesday 14 December, at our parliamentary reception, the renewed National Compact was published by Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society, and Simon Blake, chair of Compact Voice. The National Compact is the agreement which governs relations between public bodies and civil society organisations in England. Its renewal is accompanied by a new set of accountability measures, agreed across government.
Many charities which were hit when the government pulled funding for the Campaigning Research Programme last year, are now being left out of pocket because their expenses claims have been rejected, according to NCVO.
Minister for the Third Sector, Angela Smith, has admitted that she was in breach of the Compact when she pulled funding for the Campaign Research Programme.
Speaking during Cabinet Office questions in the Commons, Smith said she regretted breaking the Compact, which is supposed to guarantee how the Government and Voluntary sector works together, but maintained the decision was justified.
The decision to pull £750,000 of funds which had been promised to a group of small charities, caused dismay in the sector and NCVO has been campaigning on behalf of the affected groups.
The long awaited 'refresh' of the Compact is almost ready and anyone interested can pre-order a copy now.
The Compact, which is the agreement for the working relationship between voluntary sector organisations and the Government, underwent a refresh after former Minister for the Third Sector Kevin Brenan MP and and Simon Blake, Chair of Compact Voice wrote to Sir Bert Massie, Commissioner for the Compact, asking for the decade old document to be updated.
Many charities which were hit when the government pulled funding for the Campaigning Research Programme last year, are now being left out of pocket because their expenses claims have been rejected, according to NCVO.
