The government “won’t agree on everything” with the voluntary sector but values the benefits of working together, the charities minister has said.

Speaking at an event hosted by the think tank Pro Bono Economics in central London today, Stephanie Peacock, the Minister for Civil Society, said the government hoped its forthcoming civil society covenant would enable the charity sector to be an equal partner in delivering a decade of renewal for communities nationally.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to build a new partnership with the voluntary sector through the covenant, which was announced in October.

The covenant highlighted the principles of transparency, recognition, participation and partnership.

“We won’t agree on everything, but we value, understand and respect the benefits of working together,” said Peacock.

“This is an important staging post in the wider phase of engagement that will help develop the final covenant that we plan to publish early next year.

“This reset is about opening the door for honest, open and productive conversations and relationships with civil society.”

Peacock said the government would like to hear from the voluntary sector and gather insights and expertise on what the renewed relationship can and should look like.

“The outcomes of a renewed relationship between civil society and government are numerous,” Peacock said.

“To name just a few, it will help support a fairer and more equal society with a strong, diverse, independent civil society who can act as a constructive friend and willing partner to government.

“It will also improve innovation, insights, and expertise that enable sound decision making and empower civil society to be able to focus on prevention, early intervention and collaboration.”

The final covenant is expected to be published early next year and its framework can be viewed here.