New measures to help make it easier to give money to good causes have been laid out in the government's Giving White Paper - part of its wider Big Society concept.

Among the commitments outlined in the paper is more than £40m worth of funding over the next two years to help support volunteering and £1m to support Youthnet. Meanwhile, a further £700,000 is to be used to support Philanthropy UK, which is designed to link wealthy individuals with the charities that are in need to donations.

Justine Greening, economic secretary to the Treasury, said: "We want to make it easier for everyone to give to charity and I am particularly keen to create a US-style culture of philanthropy where people who can afford to will routinely donate substantial amounts to charities across the country." Details: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk