Labour has slammed the Tories' Big Society agenda as it releases figures that show that government is cutting £734m from the voluntary sector.

According to the Guardian, Labour has conducted an audit which shows that 6 per cent of government funding for civil society is being cut.

Recent cuts include £370m after the Future Jobs Fund, delivered by many charities, was cancelled, and £14m from the Youth Community Action programme, designed to ensure that all young people participate in at least 50 hours of community action by 19.

Tessa Jowell, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, said: “What people want is not the vacuous promise of a Big Society but a good society where everybody does their bit and is helped to do so to improve their community and create benefits for everyone.

“But a big society that cuts people loose, leaving them to stand on their own, will never work.”