Social Enterprise Barometer – Autumn 2023

On Wednesday 25 March 2026, leaders from across the private, public and social enterprise sectors came together at the Strand Palace Hotel to discuss and debate the future of social value, one year after the passing of the Procurement Act and the opportunities it presented to social enterprises. This short report summarises some of the key discussion points which emerged from the workshops, panel discussions and keynote speeches from Professor Mariana Mazzucato, Josh Babarinde MP and Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy - Mete Coban. It brings together an overview of the recent changes to the procurement landscape and the opportunities they provide for VCSEs, and also looks in detail at the main challenges raised by attendees when it comes to embedding social value at the heart of public and private contracts.

Just 0.4% of UK charities and social enterprises offer support on LGBTQ+ issues, with most operating on incomes below £10,000.  This report looks at whether charities converting to a social enterprise model – earning more of their income rather than relying on grants or donations - could lead to more sustainable and resilient LGBTQ+ services in the UK. It gives an overview of the LGBTQ+ population, the support and funding available, together with some examples of social enterprises working successfully in the space.

Every two years, we publish our State of Social Enterprise Report, which provides the clearest picture of how social enterprises are doing. The latest report, titled ‘Backbone of Britain’, surveyed nearly 2,000 businesses to assess how they are performing financially and looks in depth at who they employ, where they work, their missions, and the major challenges they face. It was a tough period for social enterprises, with turnover and profits down compared to previous surveys. Despite this, a majority were still planning to innovate to achieve growth and support an increased number of beneficiaries. As in previous years, we also found social enterprises to be more diverse and equitable, both in their leadership and workforce, than other forms of business.