Commenting on the Civil Society Covenant launch, 17 July 2025, Matt Whittaker, CEO at PBE, said:
“Civil society’s contribution to our economy, and to the health and wellbeing of our communities, has long been undervalued. As a result, the sector has often been overlooked in policy – a costly missed opportunity, given both the unique insight it provides into the challenges Britain faces and the solutions it can offer”
“At PBE’s Civil Society and Labour Summit in January 2024, Sir Keir Starmer pledged to reset the relationship between government and the sector – recognising the value of honest, sometimes critical, partnership.”
“Now in government, we’re pleased to see the Prime Minister acting on that pledge with the launch of the Civil Society Covenant. How it operates in practice will, of course, be critical. But the very publication of the Covenant signals a welcome shift: an acknowledgement of all that civil society offers, and a step toward a stronger partnership – and a stronger Britain.”