The UK government has promised to be "responsive" and collaborate with charities in the new civil society covenant, launched today by Prime Minister Kier Starmer and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, at a summit at the Science Museum.

It is hoped that the covenant will reset the working relationship and build trust between the government and civil society organisations.

"It presents the opportunity to forge a new relationship where government, both national and local, can partner with civil society to create change that lasts generations," the document foreword says, assuring that it will also protect the independence of civil society to hold government to account.

"It has been a difficult decade for many civil society organisations who have been asked to do more with less," Nandy acknowledged in a speech. "Funding has reduced as need has soared and the right to speak up on behalf of those most in need has routinely been challenged. It has cost us time and energy that could have been spent rebuilding our country and changing lives. If we are serious about renewal, civil society must be heard, not just at the margins but at the heart of decision-making."

Promises made

The covenant outlines the government's beliefs and promises for the partnership between civil society and government.

These include beliefs that "Civil society should never be expected to step in and replace government. Rather government should lean in to work in partnership with civil society."

The document promises that the government will "recognise and value" those who give their time to civil society, respect the independence of sector organisations and allow them to hold government to account, partner across every department of government, fund and deliver policies in "genuine partnership", promote participation and inclusion and strengthen trust "with open communication".

Covenant council

Also announced at the summit is a new joint civil society covenant council. The joint council will set direction and provide strategic oversight for implementation of the Covenant.

It will have cross-sector membership comprising senior leaders from civil society and senior representatives from government departments.

A local covenant partnerships programme to support collaboration between civil society, councils and public services in communities that need it most was also announced.

The full covenant can be read here

More to follow

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