Speaking today ahead of a Queen’s speech expected to include a new charities bill, Stuart Etherington told delegates at the NCVO Political Conference: “Just because charities cannot and should not be party political does not mean they do not play a vital role in General Elections. It is when policies are being formed and elections fought that voluntary sector campaigners can secure commitments from politicians that have the potential to really improve people’s lives.

“We, the voluntary sector, must continue to set the political agenda in relation to our role in society as we did with the reform of charity law. As all good campaigners know, simply responding to government initiatives is not good enough.”

Etherington also repeated the call for the next government to recognise the importance of charities and voluntary organisations in supporting local communities. “While we applaud the progress made in securing full cost recovery and more stable statutory funding relationships, political support for the sector must go beyond its role as an alternative supplier of public services,” he said.