Charity sector bodies have welcomed the continuity of culture secretary Lisa Nandy remaining in her role as part of new prime minister Andy Burnham’s cabinet reshuffle.
They praised the work so far of Nandy, who is one of the minority of cabinet members to retain the same role that she had in Keir Starmer’s cabinet and came despite rumours she would lead a different department.
Jane Ide, chief executive of ACEVO, said: “We welcome the stability that comes with Lisa Nandy remaining as secretary of state at DCMS. At a time when the country needs long-term solutions to deep-rooted challenges, continuity matters.
“Lisa has been a strong advocate for civil society, and her continued leadership should be a chance to put charities and voluntary organisations firmly at the heart of the prime minister's vision for the country.
“We look forward to working with Lisa to build on the Civil Society Covenant and make sure civil society has a seat at the top table, not just a role at the sharp end.”
Caroline Siarkiewicz, interim chief executive of the Charities Aid Foundation, said it was “good news for philanthropy” that Nandy was staying on.
“Her department’s place-based giving strategy is a much-needed step forward to revive giving in local areas,” she said.
“With charities facing real pressures, we hope Lisa Nandy will continue championing philanthropy at a national and local level, and will introduce measures to unlock giving from those who can afford it and promote a renewed British culture of giving throughout the country.”
Impact economy lead leaves government
Meanwhile, Darren Jones, who was the ministerial lead for the Office for Impact Economy, has left his governmental roles of chief secretary to the prime minister and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
While Louise Haigh has been appointed the new chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the rest of her portfolio differs and it has not been confirmed whether she will lead on the impact economy.
Jonathan Simmons, chief executive at New Philanthropy Capital, said: “Darren Jones understood something important: that government cannot deliver alone, and that the impact economy is a key part of the answer.
“We’re grateful for the platform he built for partnership with the impact economy, and we’re ready to work with Andy Burnham, Louise Haigh and ministers across the new government to build on this and help enable good growth in every place.”
It is yet to be announced whether junior ministers such as Stephanie Peacock, responsible for civil society, will retain their roles.
Nandy’s department has been renamed to include the word “digital” in its title. The word was removed in 2023 when the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) was created.
However, Burnham has scrapped DSIT and moved the digital brief back to DCMS, a change welcomed by NCVO chief executive Kate Lee.
On Nandy’s continuity as culture secretary, Lee said: “She knows civil society, she understands its value and has shown she wants to work with the sector. But this is also an opportunity to reflect on whether civil society is truly and fully reflected in the work of DCMS.
“The voluntary sector is part of a UK impact economy worth around £428bn a year and every day, our large and growing sector helps people into work, improves health, supports families, strengthens communities and creates the conditions for economic growth. Government simply cannot achieve its ambitions without civil society.
“The Civil Society Covenant signalled a genuine commitment to building a stronger partnership between government and the sector. Now we need government to ensure it is truly set up to get the best from one of the country's greatest assets by giving civil society the voice, visibility and leadership it deserves.”
