Press release

Government launches “Big Society” programme

The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister launched the civil society programme at an event in Downing Street.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) have launched their civil society programme at an event in Downing Street with community activists and leaders from around the country.

At a round table event in the Cabinet Room in Number 10, the PM, the DPM and invited guests debated the new civil society programme with Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude and Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd.

The new proposals aim to create a climate that empowers local people and communities, building a big society that will “take power away from politicians and give it to people”.

Policies outlined today include giving communities more power and encouraging people to take an active role in their communities.

Speaking in the Cabinet Room, the PM said he wanted his vision of a “Big Society” of community work and social enterprise to be one of the “great legacies” of his government.

He said:

Today is the start of a deep and serious reform agenda to take power away from politicians and give it to people.

That’s because we know instinctively that the state is often too inhuman, monolithic and clumsy to tackle our deepest social problems. We know that the best ideas come from the ground up, not the top down. We know that when you give people and communities more power over their lives, more power to come together and work together to make life better - great things happen.

The government has also announced that Nat Wei, founder of Teach First, has been appointed advisor to the government on Big Society and will be made a member of the House of Lords.

He will work alongside Mr Hurd, to lead on the delivery of the programme.

More information

Published 18 May 2010