Policy & campaigns
The Public Services (Social Value) Act receives Royal Assent
The Act, which received Royal Assent in March 2012, will hopefully result in social enterprises delivering more public services. It will ask that public bodies, including councils, to commission services from providers that are committed to improving the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of an area. Commissioners and procurement officers will be requested to seek out organisations that deliver above and beyond, not by charging the lowest price and over servicing, but by charging a fair price while supporting the boroughs and communities in which they operate.
We have published a guide for public bodies and social enterprises & charities, explaining how the Act is likely to change things.
Working to ensure social enterprise remains high on the UK's policy and political agendas
We are actively involved in influencing public opinion and decision makers at all levels in order to ensure that social enterprise remains high on the UK's policy and political agendas. We carry out research and campaign to lobby and raise awareness of social enterprise. Social enterprises contribute to the creation of greater equity of economic power, a more sustainable society and overall improved well-being. Our aim is to be sure that contribution is recognised and supported.
Improving the business environment
Social Enterprise UK promotes the benefits of social enterprise to Westminster and Whitehall to inform policy development. Working closely with our members and partner organisations, the team strives to improve the business environment for social enterprises. We identify barriers to the growth of social enterprises, advise government and other public bodies on practical solutions, develop position papers, inform consultations and host policy events.
Influencing
We have built a reputation for the effectiveness of our political campaigns and were shortlisted for the PAN Public Affairs Awards In-House Team of the Year in 2010. We run an annual programme of political events and have a strong track record in influencing the policy agenda.
We work hard to influence the positions of the political parties, in order to ensure that social enterprise is understood and supported regardless of who is in power. This work includes attending party conferences, influencing election manifestos and working with think tanks across the political spectrum.
Informing policy development
We produced 'No more business as usual - a social enterprise manifesto' for the 2010 General Election, which outlined priority areas that were fundamental to increasing social enterprises’ contribution to the UK. These included social enterprise models for public service delivery, supporting a green economy, new approaches to tackling unemployment, and stronger support for community enterprise.
Increasing understanding amongst parliamentarians
Social Enterprise UK runs the Secretariat for the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Social Enterprise, a group of parliamentarians with an interest in social enterprise. It currently has a membership of more than 80 MPs and Peers from across the three main parties. The APPG holds regular events in Westminster which our members are invited to attend.
Read about recent and future APPG events
Thank you to our political sponsors
Our political sponsors work with us to represent the best interests of social enterprise in the political arena. They are part of our parliamentary team, and voice their on-the-ground experience to Government and Shadow Ministers, MPs and senior civil servants during the conference season and throughout the parliamentary year.
