Third sector review makes progress

20 July 2006

Members of the Third Sector Alliance met with minister Ed Miliband yesterday to contribute ideas to shape the forthcoming review of the third sector.

Spanning charities, voluntary organisations and charity groups and social enterprises, members of the alliance were invited to share their views on the future of their organisations' role in the sector and society.

The minister led a discussion that sought to establish the sector's long term priorities, as well as pre-empting challenges that the sector is expected to face over the next ten years.

Minister for the Third Sector Ed Miliband said: "The review of the sector is a real opportunity to make sure it is properly supported by Government to meet the challenges of the future.

"Our aim is a more just and cohesive society. The third sector has an essential role to play in helping bring that about. From social enterprise to promoting volunteering and to the work of charities, the third sector is central to building a fairer society."

Issues such as active citizenship, public service delivery and the process of building cohesive communities were also on the agenda, which will form the basis for a review that will then feed into the Comprehensive Spending Review in 2007.