Vera Martins, Director of Manchester-based young people’s support agency 42nd Street, has announced in her organisation’s 2011 annual report that she believes ‘if there is to be genuine positive change where we don’t simply buy into the existing rhetoric, organisations need to raise their heads above the parapet – neutrality is no longer an option.’

She recognises that ‘the language of double speak has truly taken root. There is endless talk about the ‘big society’ whilst individuals, families and communities struggle to live… What is really meant is ‘let us use volunteers to deliver services because it is cheap’.’