Social supply chains are big business in pandemic year as Buy Social Corporate Challenge signs up 27 large firms. But reaching £1bn target will need many more contract-ready social enterprises.
New report by Co-operatives UK shows more people have embraced co-operative ownership of their local pub, while the number of co-ops generally continues to grow despite the crisis.
Civil society minister Baroness Barran says support was “substantial” – but recognises many social enterprises wish government had done more, as business leaders tell of eating into their reserves in first evidence session.
Financial Secretary to the Treasury rejects calls for a further extension of a crucial tax relief scheme designed to stimulate social investment – but campaigners hope this will open the door to a new, improved policy to replace it.
The proportion of social enterprises expecting to grow has doubled since July 2020, and their levels of uncertainty have dropped, a new report by Social Enterprise UK reveals.
Social Enterprise UK tells health minister that draft policy proposals are being interpreted by some commissioners as a message that “they should take services away from social enterprises”.
Online marketplace giant says eBay for Change programme will help it support post-pandemic recovery by getting community businesses in front of its 29 million UK shoppers.
Frustrated former minister who helped birth UK’s social investment policy warns powerful department for business is now falling behind on major global shift towards purpose-led business and ESG.
Supermarket chain launches investigation, MP raises issue of “unpaid wages” in Parliament, leading social entrepreneur calls for more “teeth” for accreditations – but Clarity claims its ethos of supporting people with disabilities remains.
