Matt Hancock, the new Culture Secretary, has pledged that he would "fight to protect and promote" the sector.
Hancock, whose department oversees charities, was speaking at the Charity Commission’s annual public meeting in London.
He was given the top ministerial job at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in the recent reshuffle.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be leading DCMS,” he said. “The department does many things but basically it’s the Department for the Things That Make Life Worth Living.
“This means the arts, culture, sport, and also the ties that bind us in our communities; the charities, faith groups and neighbourhood projects that hold our society together.”
He praised charities “working to fix problems and responding to need, usually on a small, local scale” and those “playing a role in preventing social problems”.
He stressed that he valued the sector and would fight for it within government.
“I pledge today that I will always fight to protect and promote you,” he said. “But I also want to see charities playing a strategic role in our social policy and practice.”
‘We will put charities centre stage’
Hancock said that the new civil society strategy, which is shortly to be formally announced by Tracey Crouch, minister for civil society, would help put the sector “centre stage”.
“We both see this as a major opportunity to set a new direction for UK civil society and to put charities centre stage in local communities and public services,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to working with all of you to help our nation’s incredible charities to strengthen and grow. I pledge that I will be by your side all the way.”
Technology is changing society
Hancock, who has been a longstanding advocate of emerging technology, urged charities to think about the opportunities.
“It’s changing how communities work and opening up new opportunities for our civil society to become yet more effective,” he said.
He also said that social finance and devolution presented opportunities for charities.
Improvements must continue
He praised the progress of the Fundraising Regulator and said improvements in fundraising and governance needed to continue.
“I believe we are on the path towards a more transparent charity sector with higher standards of integrity,” he said.
“And this is important. Because I see an opportunity for the sector to make a major step up in its role.”
Praise for William Shawcross
Hancock also praised the leadership of William Shawcross, who completes his term as chair of the regulator next week, who he said has “laid the foundations for the growth in strength and size which we will see for years to come”.
“It can be a difficult job, which involves making some courageous judgements. And William, you have certainly not shirked from making those,” he said.
Hancock also praised Shawcross for tackling the challenges faced by the sector and said he had done so “bringing the sector with you”.
“I have no doubt that British charities under your leadership are a bigger force for good than ever before,” he said.
He also said that Shawcross deserved credit for the “phoenix-like” way the regulator had responded to criticism from the Public Accounts Committee early in his tenure.
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