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Written question asked by Steve Reed (Labour) on Monday, 18 March 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 March 2019 (named day). It was answered by Mims Davies (Conservative) on Thursday, 21 March 2019 on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Civil Society

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to page 60 of the Government's Civil Society Strategy, published August 2018, what steps his Department has taken to work with Big Society Capital and others to develop new models of community funding.

Answer

The Civil Society Strategy is long term, setting out our vision for government’s work with and for civil society over the next 10 years and beyond. As we said in the Strategy, we believe there is a need for long-term, sustained relationships between communities and investors, with local funding that meets the specific investment requirements of the community, develops local resilience, and has the ability to attract private capital at scale.

Big Society Capital and Access (The Foundation for Social Investment) are devoting around £35 million funding to initiating this effort and have been working with national and local funders and civil society organisations to prepare for the launch of “Local Access”, a new programme designed to build the resilience of local charities and social enterprises in around 5 local areas, which will be identified over the coming months. The programme will run for up to 10 years and will provide long term support and investment to launch and grow enterprise ideas, with funding largely devolved to local partnerships.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
233516
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Civil society Big Society Capital
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk