Debbie Scott
Chief executive of Tomorrow's People will take a seat in the Lords in January
Debbie Scott, chief executive of Tomorrow's People, a charity that helps unemployed people, is likely to become a Conservative Party peer as part of the party's vision of a stronger civil society.
Scott has been nominated by the party and, subject to vetting, will take up her seat in the House of Lords in January.
A spokeswoman for Tomorrow's People said Scott had been approached by the Conservatives and would be happy to accept the seat if and when it was formally offered. She said Scott would continue to lead Tomorrow's People and was not worried the role would compromise the charity's political independence.
"We work cross-party and will continue to do so," she said. "There are some elements of Conservative policy Debbie agrees with and others she has publicly criticised. She sees the appointment as an opportunity to influence policy."
She said the charity's chair, David Stewart, was fully behind the appointment and pointed out that Turning Point chief executive Victor Adebowale also sat in the House of Lords as a crossbench peer. "It is not unusual," she said.
Scott said: "If in taking up this role I can help those on the margins of society, then I will be thrilled."
The Conservatives' intention to appoint Scott will be announced by David Cameron today when he delivers the Hugo Young memorial lecture at The Guardian newspaper. According to The Guardian, the speech will set out the Tories' vision of a stronger civil society to take over from a smaller state.
In a statement, Cameron said: "Debbie has had years of experience fighting poverty on the front line and understands exactly what is needed to help the worst off in our country climb the ladder. She will be an enormous asset to the Conservative Party."
