A key adviser to David Cameron's 'Big Society' project has warned that the key to its success is the elimination of waste and duplication of effort.
John Bird, founder of The Big Issue and government 'Big Society' advisor, said: "There is so much duplication, waste and holes to fill. The Big Society is about converging energies and recognising that a lot of common functions are duplicated."
"At the moment we have the voluntary sector, the national government and social businesses - and never the twain shall meet," he said.
Mr Bird and Emma Harrison, the chairman of employment providers A4e, were among the philanthropic entrepreneurs who were invited to Downing Street last week to discuss the launch of the Big Society.
"The jury is out until we see some meat on the bones but the initial signs are encouraging," said Mr Bird.
BBC TV 'Dragon' James Caan, who is the chairman of the Big Issue Group, also expressed tentative support for the 'Big Society' idea: "By bridging the voluntary sector, social enterprises, the private sector, the community and the government, the Big Society enables the country to come together to work in sync; an initiative which is a step in the right direction," he said.
A4e (formally Action for Employment) is the prime contractor for government services like 'Flexible New Deal' and 'Education for Offenders' and have helped more than a million people in Britain back to work.
"Let us all accept that people have been helping people for ever - and that it gives us all a wonderful sense of purpose and is a thing that we can all do. It would build communities, friendships, self esteem, confidence and help people get back to work," said Emma Harrison, who is also the founder of the charity Foundation for Social Improvement (FSI).
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