Nicholas Soames: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to reduce the regulatory burden on volunteers. [33757]

The Rt Hon Francis Maude MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office: In order for us to create the Big Society, it is essential that we do what we can to encourage social action and reduce barriers to people volunteering.

The Office for Civil Society and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) have established a joint red tape task force. Headed by Lord Hodgson, the task force will make recommendations to reduce the bureaucratic burdens on civil society organisations, including those involving volunteers. It is due to report to Cabinet Office and BIS Ministers shortly.

In addition the Home Office and Department for Education (DfE) are currently reviewing the Criminal Records and Vetting and Barring regimes with the aim of scaling them back to common sense levels. The Office for Civil Society has been working with the Home Office and DfE to ensure that the impact of checks on volunteers is taken into account.