Cameron defends 'Big Society' idea

David Cameron faces a grilling from MPs over his 'Big Society' plans
12 April 2012

David Cameron will issue a defence of his "Big Society" vision when he faces a grilling on his pet project by senior MPs.

The Liaison Committee - made up of the chairs of the main Commons scrutiny bodies - has chosen it as the focus of its latest session with the Prime Minister.

Mr Cameron told the Conservative Party conference last month that creating the Big Society to resolve deep-seated social issues remained his "driving mission in politics".

He wants individuals, charities and communities to take on more responsibility and not "just look to Government to solve the many problems that we have".

Critics, however, say the drive is a cover for privatising services and deep public spending cuts and that the Big Society agenda is unclear.

Britain's most senior Catholic leader, Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols, has urged the premier not to use it as "a cloak for masking cuts".

Among questions to be raised at the hearing - under the title "Big society or Broken Society" - are the Government's capacity to deliver on the agenda, the "constraints" on Government funding and the impact of the summer's riots.

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