The winners of the UK Social Enterprise awards have been announced – and two new categories in this year's event recognise teamwork during the pandemic, and diversity and inclusion.
Almost every employer on the planet now claims to be an equal opportunities employer, but in reality that’s rarely the case. So how does someone wanting to build a more inclusive workplace put their words into action?
Rishi pickings... Did the UK chancellor give us loads of money – or just a lot of missed opportunities? Here’s what some of the UK's social enterprise and social investment leaders had to say about this week's Budget.
Social Enterprise UK's 2021 State of Social Enterprise Survey finds that UK organisations are shifting priorities towards mental health, that exporting has become more frequent – and that 61% of enterprises expect their workforce to grow next year.
Latest figures from the UK's CIC Regulator show almost 5,000 more CICs on the register in 2021, bringing total to nearly 24,000 and surpassing growth rate reported by Companies House – but dependency on grant funding remains unclear.
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.