The government should turn to the voluntary sector as a first resort when looking to regenerate communities, Michael Howard has said in a speech to churches and other religious groups.

Speaking via a live webcast organised by Christian social action movement, Faithworks, he said that faith-based organisations have a crucial role to play in local neighbourhoods.

“It is because I believe faith-based social action works that I am committed to giving a fairer deal to faith-based organisations,” he said. “We plan to change the culture within government so that we approach the voluntary and faith sectors as a first resort rather than a last resort.”

All three political parties are participating in the webcasts during the run up to the election as part of the Faithwork’s lecture series. Charles Kennedy, leader of the Liberal Democrats, delivered his speech on February 3rd while a date is yet to be confirmed for the Prime Minister. They can be viewed via www.faithworks.info until August 2005.