Nearly £50m went out to small and medium sized charities and social enterprises in the shape of grants and loans. But with the Growth Fund closed, is the finance gap back? We look at the legacy of this pioneering fund and what has followed it. For years, social enterprises complained that there was a missing … Continued
A new zero-rate funding product has entered the UK social investment market. The product, which is the first of its kind in the UK, was developed by Kamran Rashid, CEO of Impact Hub Yorkshire, following consultation with organisations and social enterprises most affected by financial exclusion. The Local Access Bradford District (LABD) programme, which is … Continued
To reduce the severe pressure facing children’s services, the government must find alternatives to private equity profiteering, reform procurement for public benefit, and support partnerships between local authorities and social enterprises and cooperatives, MPs were told last week. Speaking at the first roundtable of the Social, Cooperative and Community Economy All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on … Continued
If the government was in any doubt about the challenges facing those starting social enterprises, a mixed group of stakeholders presented it with a vivid picture this week. It was the most recent evidence delivered to the second roundtable of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Social, Cooperative and Community as part of their … Continued
Academic research shows how power dynamics between social investors and social enterprises can shift in the face of major economic and social shocks, such as COVID. Dr Julia Morley from the London School of Economics explains the key findings of her recent paper Talking Across Purposes. Social investing has become a transformative force, directing private … Continued
Social enterprises present a great opportunity to improve life in the UK. Now a group of MPs will collaborate to help realise their potential. Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport, explains why he wanted to chair the group. In my constituency of Southport and the wider area there are many social enterprises, cooperatives and community businesses … Continued
Why we’re asking government to make sure social enterprises are part of the Social Impact Investment Advisory Group
More diversity at leadership level could mean more money for the economy. Our latest report found that social enterprises are playing their part – particularly those led by women. Whatever your views on the diversity of Britain’s workforce, there’s a good reason to consider the findings from our last State of Social Enterprise report: it’s … Continued