Social enterprises employ 2m people in this country (that’s more than the creative industries!) – and contribute 3% of GDP. These findings – from an important piece of research published last week by Social Enterprise UK, the Co-op Group and Nationwide Building Society – make clear that previous government estimates of the economic contribution made by social enterprises have been woeful under-estimates. And not only are social enterprises already a big deal, but they are growing quickly – starting up more quickly than regular businesses.
We know that nascent social enterprises need business support, affordable finance and the opportunity to trade – and we strongly agree with the report’s recommendations, among others, to government to give more weight to social value in public procurement.
And we were thrilled to see some of our favourite social enterprises featured in the report – the brilliant Ruth and Amy Anslow from ethical supermarket hiSbe, and the irrepressible coffee entrepreneur Cemal Ezel. Find out how we’ve helped these and other ambitious social enterprises with affordable social investment and support.