Experts give top tips for campaigners at DSC’s Engage conference

DSC held its annual Engage conference on how charities can influence politicians and policymakers on 17 October, and with the first Labour government in 14 years taking office just over 100 days before, it was a jam-packed edition! Read on for a summary.

Setting the scene – the first 100 days 

Jay Kennedy summarised the unanticipated events that have buffeted the new government almost from day one: racist and Islamophobic riots, floods, dealing with overcrowding in the prison system, and multiple international crises. Any one of which would have challenged a more experienced and settled administration.  

Combined with the government’s negative-sounding messaging about ‘financial black holes’ and ‘broken’ public services, he argued this has created an unusually downbeat vibe during what should be the ‘honeymoon period’. An exhausted and sceptical public needs some hope and the prospect of change in the near future not decades from now, which so far has been missing from the messaging.   

The unusual timing of the General Election in mid-summer also may have played a role, leading to a start-stop first 100 days. Now that Parliament is back sitting for an extended period, we can expect the government to build a head of steam and start setting the news agenda more, as it starts to pass a huge number of Bills.  

We need to remember that the Labour Party commands a huge majority. This government can and will win votes and should pass its ambitious legislative programme relatively easily, regardless of popularity or opposition. 

Much also depends on its first Budget which takes place on 30 October – much later after the election itself in historical terms. The long gap hasn’t helped the government establish a fresh identity or set a consistent narrative, and the announcement will be a major test. 

Understanding the new parliament 

Chris Walker from Malaria No More then delved into the profile of the new Parliament. There’s been unprecedented turnover, with a staggering 355 new MPs – more than half of the House of Commons has not served before. The flip side is a notable loss of experience which may affect some campaigning charities which previously had useful and productive relationships with MPs who retired or lost their seats. 

The swing in seats between 2019 and 2024 was so dramatic that many MPs are still hiring staff and working through paperwork backlogs. New MPs come from different careers, often outside of politics, and they’re still learning the ropes. Campaigners should be persistent but also patient, given all the change and disruption. This early period won’t be the only opportunity to influence, and 2025 in particular will be key. 

Select committees are being set up and will be power centres to influence during this parliament, by scrutinising the government, gathering evidence and raising issues up the agenda. This may be particularly important for Labour MPs on committees, as they will be reluctant to openly criticise the government on their own for fear of being disciplined, but doing so via the committee gives some cover. 

Campaigners should also make use of All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) to get access to MPs that may be interested in their cause, and should also keep an eye out for private members bills that may gather momentum too. 

Campaigners should be ready with key stats, data and talking points that MPs can use in their speeches and to help them ask questions in parliament. As ever, MPs will be more responsive to requests from constituents and on issues that they’re personally interested in – including from other aspects of their lives or previous career experience. 

The King’s Speech 

Vicki Butler of the Charities Aid Foundation then gave an overview of the parliamentary process and the over 40 Bills announced in the King’s Speech, which the new government is now starting to push through in earnest. Few of them are directly relevant to the charity sector writ large, but lots of charities will be interested in at least one Bill. Campaigners should keep checking the parliament.uk website for the latest Bills as they are introduced and make their way through the legislative process. 

Campaigners should also keep an eye out for Private Members’ Bills, statutory instruments and important consultations. Some legislation is going to be very complex and subject to substantial amendment, for example on devolution, planning, and workers’ rights. There could also be consultations announced on Bills that haven’t been introduced yet, particularly for complex or technical legislation. 

The early legislative agenda for domestic policy is likely to be dominated by some Bills which were carried over from the previous Parliament, such as the Renters’ Rights Bill, as well as others that have only just been introduced, such as the Employment Rights Bill, or which haven’t been introduced yet, such as the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and the English Devolution Bill. 

Some Bills will impact some charities, for example, the Protection of Terrorism (Premises) Bill (‘Martyn’s Law). This would introduce new requirements on venues to try and prevent terrorist attacks such as the Manchester Arena attack. Also, the removal of tax reliefs for private schools, many of which are charities, could also have unintended negative consequences for the rest of the sector, and the details need close scrutiny. 

Labour Missions – still in force or quietly shelved? 

The conference then moved to a panel discussion. Prior to the election, the Labour party developed and campaigned on five ‘missions’, or top priorities, where they want to achieve long-term change. With recent staffing changes in Number 10 Downing Street, there has been debate and speculation about whether the ‘mission-led government’ approach could be ditched following the difficulties of the first few months. 

Roberta Fusco from Acevo noted that regardless of the status of the missions, there’s been a very real change in attitude and messaging towards civil society from the new government compared to recent governments. There’s a clear desire to ‘reset the relationship’ with our sector, symbolised by the just-launched consultation on a new ‘covenant’ for civil society.  

There is strong leadership from the Prime Minister as well as substantial charity sector experience in the Cabinet which we can use to our advantage, but we need to move from warm words to action.  

Tamara Sandoul of Carers’ UK then spoke about the government’s approach with reference to health and care, and how the missions aren’t the only route to influencing. They might wind up functioning more as a way to frame various policies rather than structures in the machinery of government. Charities that are close to certain missions should use their existing contacts and ask them how the missions are working and what the plan is. 

Shaun Spiers from Green Alliance also agreed that Ministerial and official engagement has substantially changed in tone and volume since the election, and that it’s good to have a government with a clear sense of direction and a strong mandate, where there are aligned interests and good relationships. 

He echoed that strong Prime Ministerial leadership, setting clear priorities and expectations, also can set the Whitehall machinery running. The seniority and experience of ministers like Ed Miliband, in charge of Energy and Net Zero, indicates that the green mission will be central not just to the government’s environmental policy but lots of other cross-Whitehall policy initiatives. 

Case studies from successful campaigns 

The afternoon kicked off with two fascinating case studies from active campaigns. First, the Guarantee Our Essentials Campaign was presented by Helen Barnard of the Trussell Trust, and then the Make History: Let’s End Homelessness campaign was presented by Jasmine Basran of Crisis. Both showed how they put important campaigning and public affairs principles into practice and demonstrated how their ongoing campaigns have been able to build momentum and achieve impact. 

Helen talked about the importance of relationship and team building – especially if you’re working in partnership or coalitions; setting goals and working in ‘sprints’ but taking time out to rest and review; breaking your audiences into segments and tailoring messages specifically; building wide support with ‘mission over ego’ as your guiding principle; and being creative whilst not ignoring tried and tested approaches. 

Jasmine spoke about getting the time span for your campaign right – for example a short-term victory or a long-term strategic change; the importance of centering people with lived experience in your campaign; campaign planning and phasing your approach; and crucially, adapting to changes that you haven’t anticipated (such as an earlier than expected General Election). 

Looking ahead to the Budget 

Richard Sagar from Charity Finance Group provided the last session, looking ahead to the big event we’re all waiting for – the Budget that Chancellor Rachel Reeves will present on 30 October.  

Labour has been at pains to show its fiscal responsibility in opposition and has continued this in government. The first Bill to be passed was the Budget Responsibility Act, which introduces a so-called ‘fiscal lock’. This requires any government making ‘significant and permanent’ tax and spending changes to have forecasts from the independent Office for Budget Responsibility to inform its decisions. This Act is clearly intended to underpin Labour’s economic credibility with the financial markets.  

The Budget should also give us more information about the Spending Review, which sets multi-year spending plans for government departments. This will be critical to parts of government that are important across the charity sector, such local government finance and the Charity Commission’s budget.   

With Labour having promised ‘no return to austerity’ as well as not to raise the three big taxes of income tax, VAT, and National Insurance, it’s difficult to see where the Chancellor will get the money from to balance the books. It’s possible, for example that she will raise the employer contribution for National Insurance, which will affect charity employers, or make changes to inheritance tax, which could affect legacy giving.  

Persistence overcomes resistance 

DSC’s CEO Debra Allcock Tyler concluded the conference by acknowledging that conditions are tough out there for charities – but what else is new? We have to be purveyors of hope during difficult times. We can’t give up – people’s lives depend on us.

No government is perfect or will ever give us everything that we want. Sooner or later this one is bound to disappoint us, as all of them do. But the early signs are positive and we have to seize the opportunity to engage on behalf of our beneficiaries to improve their lives. 

And if you’re ever feeling knocked down and defeated, always remember: ‘persistence overcomes resistance’ eventually!