The government’s failure to confirm who will hold the civil society ministerial brief shows the charity sector is being “undervalued”, charity leaders have said.
After a month of waiting for ministerial briefs to be confirmed at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, charity leaders have urged the government to make an announcement “as soon as possible”.
Andy Burnham became Prime Minister on 20 July and appointed his Cabinet just days later, retaining Lisa Nandy as culture secretary.
Stephanie Peacock, who held the brief for civil society, sport, tourism and youth in Sir Kier Starmer’s government, was reappointed as a parliamentary under-secretary at DCMS.
But Peacock, who is the MP for Barnsley South, is yet to have her responsibilities publicly confirmed, with the DCMS yet to make an official announcement of any ministerial briefs.
A government release published on 20 August described Peacock as the tourism and place minister, which DCMS refused to comment on when approached by Third Sector.
Earlier in the month the Museums Association reported the former director of arts for the British Council, Ruth Mackenzie, may be passed responsibilities for museums, libraries and cultural property.
There has also been speculation around the brief assigned to Vicky Foxcroft, who also joined the DCMS as a junior minister as part of Burnham’s reshuffle.
Arts Professional reported she had been given the gambling brief earlier this month and the global gaming platform Yogonet suggested Foxcroft would also take responsibility for museums and heritage; but Third Sector understands there are rumours she could assume responsibility for civil society.
It has also been rumoured that Peacock could be taking on responsibility for the Office of the Impact Economy, Third Sector understands, which Burnham moved into DCMS as part of his reshuffle.
Despite repeated requests from Third Sector since Burnham’s appointment, DCMS is yet to confirm any ministerial briefs or comment on any of the speculation.
Charity leaders have urged the government to announce the briefs, with Katie Docherty, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, saying the month-long wait for clarity on the charities brief was “concerning”.
Docherty told Third Sector: “Charities and fundraisers make an enormous contribution to communities and the economy across the UK, and there are important issues facing the sector that require active engagement with government.
“We hope the government will confirm ministerial responsibility as soon as possible so that the sector has a clear point of leadership and can continue the important work already under way.”
Cat Ross, chief executive of the baby bank network Baby Basics, said the government’s failure to announce its charities minister “sadly speaks to just how undervalued and under-considered the sector is right now”.
Ross said: “The charity and community sector are doing so much right to hold up society, with rising demand for services and funding continuing to be depleted.
“Never more so have we needed true representation and commitment from the government and yet it still is not there.”
Jay Kennedy, director of policy and research at the Directory of Social Change, said: “Andy Burnham became Prime Minister nearly a month ago. His cabinet reshuffle was mostly complete a few days after that.
“We are hopeful that he wants to work more closely with charities and the voluntary sector, in a spirit of genuine partnership. So why do we still not yet have confirmation of which minister will hold the Civil Society brief?
“There is a gigantic list of pressing issues affecting the sector and charity leaders urgently need constitutional clarity about where this policy sits and who’s in charge of it.”
Third Sector contacted Kate Lee, chief executive of the NCVO and chair of the Civil Society Council, who said she could not comment at this time.
When approached by Third Sector, DCMS refused to comment.