Following the summit meeting held by David Ruffley of twelve leading Chief Executives of Suffolk voluntary organisations and Charities in the autumn at the Apex, he has been following up the meeting on what the Big Society means for Suffolk by asking questions in the House of Commons. This has resulted in Nicholas Hurd, David Cameron's Minister for the Big Society, accepting an invite from Mr Ruffley to meet with charities and local bodies as well as politicians to discuss how this national policy will be implemented in Suffolk.

Commenting on this visit David Ruffley said:

'The Big Society is a big idea but I am very concerned about how the Government will implement this on the ground in Suffolk. That is why I have asked questions in the House of Commons and made a point of getting the Minister to speak to people at the grass roots.

This is a significant coup and I am delighted that my colleagues Tim Yeo MP and Matthew Hancock MP will also be attending the meeting that I will personally chair. Other Suffolk MPs have expressed a desire to attend as well. This will be an important opportunity for us to stop the talking and get some action on growing the voluntary and charitable sector in the county of Suffolk.

Obviously a key talking point will be how Suffolk County Council's cuts in grants following local Government settlement will impact on our local voluntary sector. '