Skills and expertise “embedded in charities” can help the Labour Party deliver its policy pledges, sector leaders said today.
Speaking in Manchester this morning, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer promised his party would deliver a “mission-driven government” if it wins the next general election.
Starmer outlined five major commitments, on the economy, the NHS, crime, climate collapse and education. He told the event that Labour would be “harnessing the ingenuity all around us” if it entered government.
He said: “We will modernise central government so it becomes dynamic, agile, strong and above all focused: more open to expertise, to partnership with business, unions, communities and civil society.”
Starmer also stressed that the five commitments would be “measurable so we can be held to account”.
Labour will also focus on a “preventative approach” to social issues, he said, “catching problems earlier, before they fester and grow into something more deep-rooted”.
Theo Clay, policy manager at the charity think tank NPC, said: “Keir Starmer’s five missions are ambitious and he will need to use all the resources available to achieve them.
“Charities and communities could bring huge value to confronting the challenges Starmer identified, from preventing social problems arising to giving people a say in decisions which affect them or building the skills to create the world-leading growth Starmer wants to see.
“Harnessing this ready resource embedded in charities and communities is a key way that any government will achieve its social and economic goals, a point we will continue to make to Labour as well as to the Conservatives.”
Sarah Vibert, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, welcomed Starmer’s commitments and argued that charities should have a role influencing those pledges as they are developed.
She said: “It is clear that we need a long-term approach to tackling the underlying challenges in our economy and society which are so heavily impacting individuals and communities across the country.
“We were happy to hear Keir Starmer acknowledge the need for greater investment in our public services and local government, alongside reform, to deliver better outcomes.
“We must also urgently invest in, value, and listen to the charities, volunteers, organisations, and groups found in every community. Our vibrant civil society is essential to achieving inclusive economic growth, net zero, better public services and stronger communities.
“They must be at the heart of delivering the kind of change Labour is setting out. We encourage Labour to ensure civil society has a seat at the table as they continue to develop their proposals.”