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.

Nick Hurd, who was revealed as the new minister responsible for the sector by Civil Society last week, will take the title of minister for civil society.

The role has been designated at parliamentary secretary level, more junior than that enjoyed by the final minister for the third sector, Angela Smith, who was a minister of state.

Hurd, alongside the minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude, has said that government policy will focus on three fundamental issues:

• Making it easier to run a charity, social enterprise or voluntary organisation
• Getting more resources into the sector: strengthening its independence and resilience
• Making it easier for sector organisations to work with the state

Hurd added: “This government values the economic and social contribution of Britain’s charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations, and the extraordinary work individual people do to improve the lives of others and of the most disadvantaged.

“It is the sector’s commitment and ability to support and mobilise people across the country that puts it at the very centre of our mission to deliver better public services and build the Big Society.

“We are committed to bringing a clear vision to the sector that will mean charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations are easier to run and not overwhelmed by interference and bureaucracy.”