Minister for civil society Nick Hurd has insisted the government is committed to the Big Society despite national press reports this week that some Conservatives are getting nervous about public perceptions of the agenda.

The Times’ lead story on Monday stated that David Cameron’s advisers Steve Hilton and Phillip Blond had held “crisis talks” about the progress of the Big Society.

But during a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Civil Society and Volunteering yesterday, Nick Hurd reasserted the government’s allegiance to the Big Society.

“The leadership on Big Society comes from the top – there is absolutely no question about the Prime Minister’s personal commitment and the government’s commitment to it,” he said.

However, he admitted it would be a “journey” and that some scepticism is inevitable in the early stages.

“Particularly in an environment of cuts, insecurity and anxiety, some people will only see it through that prism.  I also think some people will feel uncomfortable because it’s a challenge for all of us, to some degree, to think about our responsibilities beyond paying taxes.”

But he added that as the journey progresses, and people see the government turning its words into substance on issues like public service reform, localism, promoting philanthropy and encouraging social investment, they will begin to understand better what the Big Society agenda means in practice.

Meanwhile, Paul Twivy, co-founder of the Big Society Network, has said that the Big Society concept is divisive in Cabinet and loathed by the public. Speaking at an NCVO campaigning conference this week, Twivy admitted there were problems with the Big Society concept: “People struggle with ideologies as they come and go. The important thing is to make it practical,” he said.

 

Twivy highlighted the square mile project as practical action. The project aims to encourage people to become involved in their neighbourhood. Sixteen pilots are due to take place this year.