Charities minister confirmed after almost two-month wait
Vicky Foxcroft has been announced as the new charities minister, almost two months after the government’s reshuffle began.
Stephanie Peacock, who had been the charities minister since the 2024 general election, remains at the DCMS but has had her previously long list of responsibilities reduced.
Peacock will also oversee the Office for the Impact Economy, which was moved into the DCMS in July, alongside sport, tourism, place and digital government.
Foxcroft, who has been the MP for Lewisham North since the constituency shake-up in 2024 and before that had been the MP for Lewisham Deptford since 2015, will also hold responsibility for youth, gambling, digital inclusion, civil society and loneliness.
Foxcroft, who previously served as a government whip, was the shadow charities minister between June 2019 and April 2020, when she became the shadow minister for disabled people.
She worked for the trade union Unite before entering parliament.
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MPs hope lessons have been learned from regulator’s ‘misguided’ legal challenge
The House of Commons voted to accept the findings of a report by the Committee of Privileges, which concluded in July that the regulator had committed a contempt of parliament amid a row with the parliamentary ombudsman and should apologise to the house.
Alberto Costa, the Conservative MP for South Leicestershire and chair of the privileges committee, said it was “deeply regrettable” that his committee had to consider the case.
“I very much hope that the Charity Commission, and indeed other public bodies, learn the lessons so that we avoid a repeat of these unfortunate events,” he said.
Sir Alan Campbell, the leader of the house, reiterated that the government had “confidence in the leadership of the Charity Commission, but said: “I hope that lessons have been learned not just by the Charity Commission but by anyone who may feel tempted to go down that misguided route.”
The regulator said it accepted the report and apologised unreservedly.
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146-year-old charity changes name
Saint John of God Hospitaller Services, which was established in 1880 in the UK but has heritage dating back to 1539, provides housing, care and specialist support for disabled and autistic people, people with complex needs and older people.
The charity, which supports more than 1,800 people each month and employs 562 staff, has become The Do Good Charity – although its legal name will remain the same, including on the charity register.
The new identity is designed to make its purpose clearer and help the organisation reach more people, partners and communities, the charity said.
The name retains a link to the heritage of the charity, which can be traced back to the 16th century and Saint John of God, who cared for sick and impoverished people.
The religious order that grew from his work became known in Italy as the Fatebenefratelli – the “Do Good Brothers”.
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