Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Brooks Newmark and Pat Glass

Wednesday 10th September 2014 Commons Chamber

[Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab)]

3. What assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policies of the National Audit Office’s recent report on funding arrangements for the Big Society Network.

[The Minister for Civil Society (Mr Brooks Newmark)]

I take this report seriously. I am satisfied that the issues raised concerned adherence to process, and therefore do not feel that there are any implications for the policies of my Department.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Newmark]

I shall certainly look into that matter, as the hon. Gentleman has asked. We welcome the NAO’s report and have learned the lessons from this experience. There are no conclusions that the Cabinet Office did anything untoward in this regard. All the report says is that we did not adhere to the guidance we issued for this particular programme on a couple of points.

[Pat Glass]

Is it true that the Prime Minister’s flagship Big Society Network is now being investigated by the charity commissioners over allegations of misuse of Government funding and inappropriate payments to directors, including a Tory donor?

[Mr Newmark]

This has been investigated and no evidence of impropriety has been found.