Cabinet re-shuffle and the voluntary sector

The government has indicated its commitment to the third sector, stripping the Home Office of its responsibility for charity policy and appointing senior ministers within the Cabinet Office to take up its work.

In last week’s cabinet reshuffle rising political star Ed Miliband was appointed minister for the voluntary and community sector. He will work with the minister for social exclusion Hilary Armstrong, formerly the chief whip, drawing together responsibility for charities, community organisations and social enterprise.

Former education secretary Ruth Kelly is to lead the Department for Communities and Local Government, created to replace the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister after the removal of John Prescott’s departmental role. Kelly replaces David Miliband (Ed's older brother), who was promoted to secretary of state for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The DCLG has taken over responsibility for promoting community cohesion and equality, alongside the work previously carried out by the ODPM including housing, planning and regeneration.

Reproduced from Charity Times 9th May 2006