Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office Tessa Jowell MP, in response to David Cameron’s speech on the big society, said:

“The content of today's speech is simply a brass-necked rebranding of programmes already put in place by a Labour Government.

“Funding for a social investment bank and for community pubs was put in place in March, and residents have been involved in setting council budgets for a number of years.

“We welcome the Coalition's decision to continue our work in partnership with local communities, but these projects are dependant on funding and resources being put in place.

“It is therefore highly unlikely that civil society will become "bigger" due to the large public spending cuts that are being put forward by this Government.”