The Compact 10 years on: government’s approach to partnership with the voluntary and community sector in England

Abstract

This paper examines the history of the Compact, a partnership agreement between government and the voluntary and community sector in England, over the last 10 years and addresses issues of public policy. In particular, it examines how the implementation of the Compact has been slower, patchier and less energetic than might have been expected for an initiative of ‘both practical and symbolic importance’ and how the proposed ‘refreshment’ is unlikely significantly to alter this situation.