Baltic Creative CIC announce Bloom 2025: Shaping the Future of Creative and Digital Businesses in the North

As our new government maps out its “mission-based” approach, the Cabinet Office is looking at how public procurement could support this – and as part of our work to build markets for social enterprise, we’re seizing this opportunity to show political leaders the added value unlocked when we work in partnership. Procurement is one of the government’s most powerful economic tools, with public sector bodies spending over £400bn to deliver vital public services and critical infrastructure in the last year alone. Unfortunately, the current system is failing to achieve its full potential, as evidenced by our Social Value 2032 research. With a more effective strategy, these funds could help shape markets to improve business behaviours and social outcomes. We hope this new government consultation is the start of a journey to making public sector procurement more collaborative and innovative, so that it delivers greater value – and we know social enterprise can help accelerate progress here. Our business model naturally aligns to a mission-driven approach, putting people and planet before profit. However, system change is needed to really unleash the procurement power of social enterprise suppliers. Having given insight and advice directly to government as part of the consultation, we also wanted to publicly share the highlights of our response, as we continue to push for more engagement and understanding. A key point is making legislation work better. Our research found £56bn in added value has been lost since the Social Value Act came in, so this must be strengthened alongside updates to the National Procurement Policy Statement. It’s promising that guidance on the upcoming Procurement Act expresses a specific intention to benefit social enterprises, and we’ll share our sector insight with policymakers to ensure they understand our needs and expectations. Going further, commissioners must recognise the intrinsic value of organisations in their supply chain. Rather than narrow measurement processes that relegate social value to a tick-box exercise, commissioners should consider how suppliers in their supply chain might advance wider strategic goals. Ultimately, commissioners need the responsibility and guidance to play the role of market stewards; procurement spending should be recognised as investment, with commissioners obliged to consider how such funds can be used to deliver more for the communities they serve. This should also mean actively limiting opportunities for profit in certain areas. When vulnerable individuals are dependent on specific services like social care, there should be no opportunity to make profit at the expense of investing and providing the highest quality service. The government’s new plans to prevent profiteering in children's homes are a very welcome step in the right direction – but there are concerns about whether profit-driven businesses would make voluntary changes, and questions about how mandatory legislation would work in practice. Where possible, commissioners should look to reserve more contracts for suppliers that have adopted business models where surplus funds are used to invest in services, rather than enriching shareholders. Overall, more transparency is needed across the procurement system. Commissioners need to understand what colleagues across the public sector are doing and pursue best practice in line with their own goals. Similarly, they need to understand how suppliers are using their funds, so they can get an accurate sense of the costs needed to deliver vital services. Procurement can enhance public wellbeing and deliver shared prosperity – but it must be approached in a way that prioritises collaboration and transparency, with greater appreciation of what different organisations may bring to the table. This will allow commissioners to better embed suppliers whose practices, values and interests are aligned with the people and places they serve. Ultimately, this will not only improve services and outcomes but cultivate a more inclusive and dynamic economy. If you want to share your experiences of public sector procurement, and/or get involved with our Social Value 2032 work, contact policy@socialenterprise.uk.

Today’s Budget marked a decisive shift to higher levels of public investment - welcome after more than a decade of austerity. This is particularly on capital spend, but social spending investment is also vital. So how can this additional spending can deliver a fairer, more sustainable and inclusive economy? Resource spending in health and social care is crucial. There have been numerous occasions in recent years when social enterprises delivering core NHS community services have been (and are still) unfairly excluded from government policies, programmes and funding. If the new government is serious about its manifesto commitments to prevention and community services, then it must recognise the essential role social enterprises already play in their delivery across the country every day. Many social enterprises will be concerned with some of today’s announcements. The rise in employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) will particularly impact social enterprises that create jobs, often for those furthest from the labour market. While Employment Allowance has been increased, which will reduce pressures on smaller businesses, this still raises questions over whether this is the fairest way to distribute the increased tax burden. Social enterprises that provide vital public services may be particularly impacted by the Budget. The minimum wage will rise alongside NICs. While social enterprises are committed to paying a living wage and offering better working conditions, those reliant on public sector funding may struggle with these additional costs if they do not receive a fair funding settlement from the public sector bodies they work with. However, there are clear signs this is a Budget that recognises aspects of the contribution of social enterprises and other mission-led business models. Pledges to reform the taxation of Employee Ownership Trusts and deliver a strategy for growing the co-operative economy demonstrate that there will be more support for diverse, mission-led business models going forward. Social Enterprise UK will continue to work with members and partners to ensure the Government understands the needs and aspirations of social enterprise. We do need investment - but we also need businesses that create high-quality employment, invest in their communities, and offer innovative ownership models that share wealth. We hope that the Chancellor will use her additional spending power to create the conditions in which social enterprises, as businesses committed to more than just profit, can thrive.

On Tuesday, 15 October 2024, Tarem Services, a social enterprise dedicated to tackling in-work poverty and food insecurity, joined forces with leading UK construction company Wates Group to bring essential food support to families in Kilburn Square through their Mobile Foodbank initiative. Tarem Services has partnered with Wates as a member of their supply chain, employed by the group to provide cleaning services and labour supply in Brent and on several other of their London contracts. Wates are currently delivering a wide range of planned works at Kilburn Square on behalf of Brent Council. A total of 100 food bags were distributed, each containing enough food to feed at least two people, benefiting approximately 200 individuals. This distribution directly addresses immediate community needs and demonstrates the commitment of both Tarem Services and Wates to supporting local communities. This collaboration forms part of Tarem Services' broader mission to provide support where it is needed most. Managing Director Titus Komolafe expressed his gratitude for the partnership and the positive impact achieved: “At Tarem Services, tackling in-work poverty starts with addressing fundamental needs like food security. Our partnership with Wates reflects what can be achieved when businesses are driven by shared social values. Together, we are making a real difference in the lives of families here in Kilburn Square.” James Gregg, Regional Managing Director for Wates, said: “Improving the lives of residents and creating thriving communities is at the core of our business. Partnering with social enterprises like Tarem to deliver initiatives like this allows us to support the local community in becoming stronger and more resilient. " Building Stronger Communities This initiative demonstrates how corporate and social enterprise partnerships can drive positive change and foster resilient communities. By collaborating with organisations like Wates, Tarem Services not only delivers high-quality services but also creates social value that uplifts the community. To learn more about Tarem Services’ Mobile Foodbank and discover how you can support our community initiatives, visit: taremservices.com/foodbank About Tarem Services Tarem Services Limited is a social enterprise focused on tackling in-work poverty and food insecurity, especially among cleaners in the UK. Founded in 1999 with the support of a Prince’s Trust grant, Tarem Services has built a reputation for responsible business practices. The company provides office and school cleaning, construction labour supply, pest control, and waste management services, all while remaining committed to social responsibility and environmental sustainability. About Wates Group Established in 1897, we are the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance company. In 2022 we employed over 4,000 people and generated profits of £33.7m from a turnover of £1.89bn, working with a wide range of public and private sector customers and partners. Now in our fourth generation of family ownership, we’re committed to the long-term sustainability of the built environment and to making our industry more inclusive and representative of the communities we work in. We are one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality and an Investors in People Gold accredited company. We are driven by our shared purpose of working together to inspire better ways of creating the places, communities, and businesses of tomorrow. wates.co.uk