17 September 2004
A dedicated Cabinet minister is needed to oversee the government's interaction with the voluntary sector, according to charity leaders.
A manifesto launched by the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations on September 13 also calls for a 'czar' to be installed at the Cabinet Office to spearhead moves to give charities a greater role in public service delivery.
The voluntary sector has recently been buoyed by Sir Peter Gershon's call for more efficient business relations between government and charities and by Alan Milburn's return to frontline politics.
In May, Milburn argued that over the next decade the voluntary sector should be integral to public service delivery.
Acevo chief executive Stephen Bubb said: 'The sector can deliver many key public services more effectively and at better value than the state.
'We want to be part of radical solutions in mainstream public service delivery, not just tinkering at the edges. This would lead to a more streamlined civil service and better use of public money.'
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