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

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to meet representatives of the charitable sector to discuss public service reform and how the sector can assist in the delivery of more efficient and cost-effective services.

The recent announcement of the Covenant marks a new era of partnership between Government and civil society that will drive forward plans to foster closer collaboration in tackling some of society’s most pressing issues.

DCMS is leading a period of engagement that started earlier in the autumn and runs until mid-December, ensuring broad representation across the full breadth of civil society. The robust engagement period will culminate in the publication of a final co-created Covenant to be published next year.

By listening to sector views, The Covenant seeks to establish a new relationship based on a set of principles that will enable a model of collaboration.

The Cabinet Office confirms that they are engaging with a range of sectors to discuss public sector reform, including the charitable sector, and look forward to future opportunities to hear views from a wide range of stakeholders.