Money paid to volunteers to refund the cost of meals taken during voluntary activity will now be included as one of the expenses disregarded for benefit purposes. Previously, volunteers were expected to meet the cost out of their benefits.

In July, MP Diane Abbott tabled an early day motion supporting Volunteering England’s campaign, asking other MPs to sign up and support the proposed changes. Volunteering England said at the time that guidance on the matter was contradictory and created a barrier to volunteering for people in receipt of benefits

The Office for the Third Sector also got involved in the campaign. Commenting on the change in policy, minister for the third sector, Ed Miliband, said: “By altering the rules around lunch expenses, we have listened to the eloquent case put by organisations which involve volunteers. We hope this will make it easier for people who are on benefits to volunteer – enabling them to improve their own lives and make a difference to our society.”

Secretary of state for work and pensions, John Hutton, said: “Our close working relationship with the voluntary and charitable sector has helped us implement the changes at the earliest opportunity.”