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The latest news and policy updates from the Office of the Third Sector.
The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) has revealed the baseline for reporting on progress to make three year funding the norm. Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector, announced that across government departments, the mean average for the proportion of direct grants that are for three years or more is 65.7%.This figure will now by used as a baseline for the OTS to report annually on progress on increasing the proportion of government grants that are for three years or more.
Following an NCVO summit on the impact of the economic downturn on the third sector, Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector, announced plans to publish a third sector action plan in the New Year. The action plan represents a real opportunity for the sector and Government to work in partnership to address current and future challenges.
Garments donated by the Prime Minister and his wife, Sarah, and stars such as Hollywood actress Kate Winslet, have been cut up and customised by young volunteers across the country to raise cash for a children’s HIV charity. ‘Fashion Favours’ is the part of the new vFavours campaign run by the independent youth volunteering charity v, which is funded by the Office of the Third Sector, and aims to help provide high quality volunteering opportunities for people aged between 16-25.
Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector, has announced the publication of a practical handbook to help public servants open up the consultation process to reach third sector workers on the ground and to use their experience to influence policy outcomes.
The Office of the Third Sector has announced £1.5 million to support third sector regional networks in delivering many of the Government's policies and programmes at the regional level. The Office of the Third Sector will provide £1million over two years, whilst Capacitybuilders has identified a further £500,000 for 2009-10.
As part of the Pre Budget Report on 24 November, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alastair Darling, confirmed the Government’s ongoing commitment to the third sector.
Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector, has announced his intention to develop and action plan of government support for charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises through the economic downturn.
As part of Social Enterprise Day 2008, the Office of the Third Sector has published an update on the Government's progress and achievements taking forward the Social Enterprise Action Plan.