The way Rob Wilson was reappointed as minister for civil society suggests the government "doesn't really value" the sector, Jay Kennedy, head of policy at the Directory of Social Change, said today.
But other sector bodies said Wilson offered welcome continuity to the role.
Kennedy suggested the process of Wilson's appointment implied a lack of respect for charities.
"Once again the position of minister for civil society was the very last to be decided – and Number 10 didn’t even appear to bother announcing it," Kennedy said.
"It suggests that either the post isn’t important, or worse, that the government doesn’t really value the contribution made by hundreds of thousands of charities and millions of volunteers.
"Our sector will have to work even harder to convince the new government of the vital role of charities in our society, across many departments and policy areas, not just the Cabinet Office."
While most ministerial roles were announced on Twitter as they happened, Wilson's appointment came to light only some hours later, when a complete list of roles was published on the Cabinet Office website.
Wilson himself did not announce his appointment until after Civil Society News had broken the story.
For some time there was speculation that John Penrose, MP for Weston-super-Mare, had been given the position instead after he was given a role of equivalent rank in the Cabinet Office. Charities found out otherwise only when Penrose gave an interview to a local newspaper, in which he said he had been made minister for constitutional reform.
Other reaction
Other sector bodies, however, welcomed the fact that there would be continuinity in the role of minister, and warned that Wilson has a packed brief.
The most common priorities outlined for him included the Local Sustainability Fund and ensuring the sector's independence of voice.
Other issues included the future of the Office for Civil Society itself, the reform of gift aid, improved commissioning, and training for fundraisers.
Sir Stephen Bubb, Acevo
Sir Stephen Bubb, chief executive of Acevo, said: “The minister for civil society Rob Wilson has a packed agenda. His first order of business is to fulfil his pre-election promise and ensure that the Local Sustainability Fund makes it through Parliament.
"He has been clear on the importance of charities’ duty to campaign on our beneficiaries’ behalf, so I’ll work with him to defend that and to defend our independence from government. We look forward to his advocacy on our sector’s behalf.”
Karl Wilding, NCVO
Karl Wilding, director of public policy at NCVO, said: “It’s undoubtedly a good thing that the voluntary sector has the opportunity to work with a minister over a longer period of time. Rob Wilson already knows the sector, so now is the time to concentrate on making sure the policy agenda reflects the sector’s priorities, such as gift aid reform, improving commissioning, and making sure the voluntary sector has a role in public services. We hope that the Cabinet Office can be a force within the new government to show just what charities and volunteering can do to help people achieve their aspirations or help each other make a bigger difference.'
Neil Cleeveley, Navca
Neil Cleeveley, chief executive of Navca, said: “There is something to be said for continuity but I hope Rob Wilson will look beyond social investment and public service delivery, important though both are.
"We need him to be a powerful advocate for the sector. This means supporting our right to campaign without fear, particularly where government policy harms the most vulnerable people and communities. The first thing he can do is launch the much promised Local Sustainability Fund.”
Dan Corry, NPC
Dan Corry, chief executive of think tank NPC, published an open letter to the minister with six priorities. He said the new minister’s priorities should be to ensure the future of the Office for Civil Society, to reform Big Society Capital, and to change the rules around trustee duties to allow them to focus more on change and beneficiaries, rather than sustainability and compliance.
Peter Lewis, Institute of Fundraising
Peter Lewis, chief executive of the Institute of Fundraising, said: “We are looking forward to continuing our work with Rob. He personally supported the launch of our revised Code on Fundraising with People in Vulnerable Circumstances, and has shown he understands the vital role fundraisers and fundraising plays in the charity sector.
“In the immediate future we look forward to working with him on developing a new subsidised fundraising training programme for small charities, and continuing our strong work with the OCS on all aspects of fundraising, including self-regulation.”
John Low, Charities Aid Foundation
John Low, chief executive of CAF, said: "One of the big challenges for the new Cabinet Office team will be to make sure the important role of voluntary organisations is seen as a key consideration for every part of government and not just the responsibility of their own department.
“The Conservative party’s manifesto reaffirmed its commitment to the Big Society. This is still an area of huge unfulfilled potential. Government should make it an urgent priority to work with charities to develop the Big Society concept into a coherent set of policies.
"We also look forward to government rapidly setting out how it will deliver on its promise to give paid time off for volunteering and provide extra support to get young people involved in good causes.
“Charities have not been immune to the challenges of austerity over the past few years and have found it harder to raise funds while demand for their support has increased. In order to strengthen the impact that our charities can make, this government must continue to create a positive climate in which charities can operate."
