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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to page 71 of the Civil Society Strategy published in August 2018, what steps the Government has taken to work with civil society, the Electoral Commission and the Charity Commission to explore what other non-legislative steps could strengthen civil society’s confidence in its campaigning and advocacy role.

The Civil Society Strategy is long term, setting out our vision for government’s work with and for civil society over the next 10 years and beyond. The Strategy acknowledged the importance of the campaigning and advocacy role of civil society. Early discussions have already taken place with the Charity Commission and the Electoral Commission on what more could be done to improve civil society’s confidence in its campaigning and advocacy role.

Our resources are currently focused on other priorities from the Civil Society Strategy and on preparing for EU exit, but the intention remains to work with charities and regulators to take forward this important recommendation in due course.