Reports

This report, supported by the Alex Ferry Foundation, reveals the UK suffers from a business monoculture - an economy dominated by firms that primarily exist to maximise profits, whose short-termism restricts national economic performance. The research reviews evidence from the five largest economies in Europe and found that the UK is an outlier, with lower levels of investment and employment in the social economy. Social enterprises and cooperatives deliver 14% of GDP in the Netherlands, 12% in Germany and 10% in France, but our social economy is only worth around 3%.  Our European peers with bigger social economies enjoy higher wages, more training and greater representation at work – while the UK struggles with weaker economic performance and lower working standards. Analysis shows that growing the UK social economy from 3% of GDP to 12% could raise wages, boost investment, increase employee participation and productivity amongst other things.

The State of Social Enterprise is our flagship research into the key trends and issues affecting our business movement. Titled 'Mission Critical', the report shows a growing sector that is not only profitable and productive but truly pioneering. We estimate that there are 131,000 social enterprises across the country, representing almost one in 42 of all UK businesses – and we find they are not only helping people and planet but also boosting our economy, turning over around £78 billion and re-investing £1 billion in profit into their vital missions. Looking in depth at what it means to be a social enterprise today, overall the report shows a movement creating huge impact despite complex challenges. You can also download the executive summary containing the report's key findings and statistics using the link below:

The November survey of social enterprises depicts a sector weathering economic storms, resilient in the face of growing pressures but also showing real signs of strain. The picture painted is a mixed one – social enterprises are succeeding against the odds, but many are seeing incomes decline and reserves depleted. More needs to be done to support them as they continue drive growth for people and planet.

The July 2023 survey of 142 social enterprises found continued resilience and cautious recovery, although many are still uncertain about their futures. While the research suggests that inflation and economic uncertainty aren’t causing acute risk of closure for social enterprises, there are ongoing signs of strain across the sector.

We’ve been running our Buy Social Corporate Challenge since 2016, supporting big companies across business sectors to bring social enterprises into their supply chains. Our latest annual report shows the Challenge had the most successful year ever, as our 30 corporate partners spent £99 million with social enterprise suppliers. In total, more than £350million has been spent with social enterprises in the seven years of the programme.

The Roadmap is the latest update from Social Value 2032, an innovative programme led by Social Enterprise UK in partnership with Jacobs, PwC, Shaw Trust, Siemens, and SUEZ recycling and recovery UK. The programme has ambitious goals to make social value cover all public sector procurement and influence spending in the largest private companies, and the Roadmap outlines the next steps needed on that journey.

The April Social Enterprise Barometer report showed that projected growth figures are up on last quarter for social enterprises. Projected turnover and profit figures are also positive, with 40% of social enterprises surveyed anticipating turnover will grow and 77% expecting to break even or make a profit this financial year. The report also showed the importance to social enterprises of supporting staff through the economic downturn.

This report explores how the potential for existing businesses to become social enterprises might be expanded. It studies the motivations, barriers and enablers behind growing numbers of traditional businesses transitioning to social enterprise models using case studies to give real-life examples of instances where this has happened. The report also contains recommendations on how to support more organisations become social enterprises.