The Office of the Third Sector appointed Kevin Brennan, MP for Cardiff West, as the new Minister for the Third Sector.

He joins us from the Department of Children Schools and Families where his previous responsibilities included the third sector. His predecessor, Phil Hope, takes up post of Minister of State at the Department of Health.

On his appointment, Kevin Brennan said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve as Minister for the Third Sector. I strongly believe charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises can help to bring real change for the better in our society. They are a product of communities which makes them highly responsive to the problems individuals really face.

" Through my work as an MP I am acutely aware of the importance of a thriving third sector. My own work in setting up and chairing the All Party Group on Muscular Dystrophy has given me an insight into the challenges that the sector faces. I am committed to doing everything I can to drive forward the Government’s programme of support for the sector.

"In the current economic climate it is more important than ever that the third sector has a strong champion within Government. I will be proud to carry this torch and build on the work of my predecessors. I look forward to working with all of you in the sector.”

Volunteering England, the national Development Agency for volunteering, welcomed the appointment.   

Volunteering England chief executive Justin Davis Smith said: ”The Minister’s appointment comes at an opportune time for the volunteer movement.  Although progress has been made since the ‘Manifesto for Change’ was first published in January this year, many challenges lie ahead for Government, as highlighted by the recent meeting of the Public Sector Action Group.”

The group engaged with key figures from The Commission for the Compact, Office of the Third Sector, Community Service Volunteers, local government and Westminster Volunteer Centre.  

Justin Davis Smith added: "We look forward to working with the new minister on the big issues facing our movement: implementing the recommendations from the Commission on the Future of Volunteering; securing a sustainable future for the Volunteer Centre network; helping to raise the status and profile of volunteer management and managers; and securing a lasting legacy for volunteering from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games."