Chancellor pledges better relationship with the voluntary sector

Voluntary organisations working with children and families would be given a boost under a Brown government, the Chancellor has told the Labour Party annual conference.

Promising more support for parents, more recognition for carers and a greater emphasis on personalised care and support, Brown added: “I want a new compact that elevates the third sector as partner; government fulfilling its responsibilities to fund services and fully valuing the contribution the voluntary sector can make.”

Despite admitting that New Labour had joined previous administrations in failing children in care, children with disabilities and young offenders, his speech focused on improvements in universal education services rather than any of these areas.

While standing by Blair’s tough line on young people engaged in antisocial behaviour, Brown acknowledged that more needed to be done to recognise the vast majority of young people who lived by the values of their local community.

“So let us, in every area of the country, champion youth councils and youth budgets; young people deciding for themselves the shape of youth facilities in their communities,” Brown urged delegates. “Let us do more to support what gives young people opportunity and enthusiasm: a youth community national services offering thousands of chances to expand horizons.”