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19/07/2010
PM Launches 'Big Society' Plan
Prime Minister David Cameron has launched his plan for a 'Big Society', describing it as his "great passion".
Mr Cameron launched the plan during a speech in Liverpool today, saying that it would give individuals and communities more control, allowing groups to run post offices, libraries, transport services and housing projects.
The Prime Minister annnounced that community projects in four areas - Liverpool, Eden Valley in Cumbria, Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire and the London Borough of Sutton - will receive initial help with projects.
Each area will be given an expert organiser and dedicated civil servants to help get initiatives up and running and encourage wider change.
The initiatives include a local buy-out of a rural pub, the recruitment of volunteers for museums, granting residents more power over council spending and plans to use money in dormant bank accounts to enable charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to take over the running of some public services.
Speaking on BBC One's Breakfast show this morning, Mr Cameron denied accusations that the plans were being used to cover up public service cuts, instead saying that the plan was a "great agenda" regardless of whether public spending was being cut or increased.
However, Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, Tessa Jowell, said that the speech was: "simply a brass-necked rebranding of programmes already put in place by a Labour government." She said: "Funding for a social investment bank and for community pubs was put in place in March, and residents have been involved in setting council budgets for a number of years.
"We welcome the Coalition's decision to continue our work in partnership with local communities, but these projects are dependent on funding and resources being put in place.
"It is therefore highly unlikely that civil society will become "bigger" due to the large public spending cuts that are being put forward by this government.”
(KMc/GK)
Mr Cameron launched the plan during a speech in Liverpool today, saying that it would give individuals and communities more control, allowing groups to run post offices, libraries, transport services and housing projects.
The Prime Minister annnounced that community projects in four areas - Liverpool, Eden Valley in Cumbria, Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire and the London Borough of Sutton - will receive initial help with projects.
Each area will be given an expert organiser and dedicated civil servants to help get initiatives up and running and encourage wider change.
The initiatives include a local buy-out of a rural pub, the recruitment of volunteers for museums, granting residents more power over council spending and plans to use money in dormant bank accounts to enable charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to take over the running of some public services.
Speaking on BBC One's Breakfast show this morning, Mr Cameron denied accusations that the plans were being used to cover up public service cuts, instead saying that the plan was a "great agenda" regardless of whether public spending was being cut or increased.
However, Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, Tessa Jowell, said that the speech was: "simply a brass-necked rebranding of programmes already put in place by a Labour government." She said: "Funding for a social investment bank and for community pubs was put in place in March, and residents have been involved in setting council budgets for a number of years.
"We welcome the Coalition's decision to continue our work in partnership with local communities, but these projects are dependent on funding and resources being put in place.
"It is therefore highly unlikely that civil society will become "bigger" due to the large public spending cuts that are being put forward by this government.”
(KMc/GK)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Staying cold. Any freezing fog that has formed overnight will slowly thin and disperse during the morning. Otherwise dry and bright much of the day with perhaps the odd coastal shower in the north and east. Maximum temperature 4 °C.Tonight:Dry at first with cloud thickening from the south through the evening. The odd shower, wintry over high ground, over northern counties, becoming more persistent rain over Down and Antrim. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
