Steve’s appointment as Shadow Minister for Civil Society
Croydon North MP Steve Reed has been appointed Shadow Minister for Civil Society.
He will take up the role in Tom Watson’s Shadow Culture, Media and Sport team and will shadow Government Minister Rob Wilson MP.
The role covers the voluntary sector, co-operatives and mutuals, and youth policies including the National Citizen Service.
Steve said:
The challenges the voluntary sector faces are huge.
Charities and community organisations are struggling to support growing numbers of people who need their help at a time when funding has been cut. Uncertainty caused by the Tories’ chaotic response to Brexit means charity leaders fear more cuts are on the way.
I know from my time in local government that community groups, co-ops and mutuals play a huge role in civic life, but they could do even more if given the chance with more open decision-making and a fairer share of resources.
I’m looking forward to working with civil society to challenge a Government that doesn’t really trust, understand or value the community and voluntary sector.
Steven Reed is Labour MP for Croydon North and Shadow Minister for Children and Families. In 2018 his private member’s bill on reducing violent mental health restraint became law. In June 2019 he launched Labour’s civil society strategy outlining radical plans to empower citizens and communities.
Steve chairs the Cooperative Councils Innovation Network, co-chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for London, was Leader of Lambeth Council 2006-12 where he led the council’s children’s services to become best-rated in the country and pioneered the public-health approach to tackling violent youth crime. He worked in publishing for 16 years and was an elected trade union branch secretary.