Government puts Big Society at heart of public sector reform

Civil society community activists and leaders have met with the Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude and Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd to debate the Government's Big Society programme.

The aim of this cross-Government policy programme is to create a climate that empowers local people and communities by building a Big Society that would roll back big government, bureaucracy and Whitehall power.

Nat Wei, a founder of Teach First, has been appointed advisor to the Government on Big Society and will be made a member of the House of Lords. He will work alongside the new Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd, to lead on the delivery of the programme.