Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how the Government will engage civil society organisations as part of the implementation of the Levelling Up White Paper.

The Government recognises the vital role that civil society plays in levelling up. Charities, social enterprises and volunteers are already working up and down the country, delivering real impact in some of the most disadvantaged parts of the UK.

The Levelling Up White Paper sets the government’s plans to level up communities, including a new Strategy for Community Spaces and Relationships jointly led by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ (DLUHC). As part of this work, we are committed to listening to civil society organisations and engaging with the most disconnected communities. Officials in DCMS and DLUHC are increasing their engagement with civil society and community stakeholders to understand the best way to achieve this.