The Office of the Third Sector is to be replaced by the Office for Civil Society, taking responsibility for charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations in the Cabinet Office. .

Music charity Rhythmix has said the X Factor has left it with ‘considerable’ legal bills, following a battle with the programme over an X Factor band who tried to trademark the charity’s name.

The National Bullying Helpline has attacked its patrons on its website following their decision to resign following the Gordon Brown bullying row.

Nick Hurd has told charities involved in public service delivery to expect longer contracts of up to ten years, payment-by-result models funded by the private sector, the end of full cost recovery and less money available for grants.