Partner Article

Boost for social enterprise

Social enterprises are to receive unprecedented government backing, as a new package of measures is announced.

Businesses with a social aim will find it easier to create new jobs, to deliver public services, and set up new businesses, if the new measures are effective.

A new ministerial working group is to establish a ‘level playing field’ for social enterprises , enabling them to compete for public service delivery contracts; while a new guide to social return will ensure public service leaders understand the social value social enterprises can bring to communities.

In addition, the new ‘Futurebuilders Investment Plan’ is setting out how £45.6m of government funds will help social enterprises deliver public services with a new fast-track investment process.

Liam Byrne, minster for the Cabinet Office, said: “Social enterprises are well placed not only to respond the any increasing demands for services for vulnerable people. They also provide a blueprint for the kind of ethical and sustainable businesses that will help build a new, more balanced economy.”

The measures have been introduced ahead of the Social Enterprise Summit, which will be jointly chaired by Liam Byrne and business secretary Lord Mandelson, and build on the support already in place to help the third sector and social business.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .