Thought Leadership

RIFT Social Enterprise is a Community Interest Company (CIC) that delivers self-employment services across the UK, with its main focus being on a 12-month one-to-one support for people interested in working for themselves. Its vision is to be the leading provider of self-employment support for marginalised people, and its mission is to empower participants to achieve sustainable self-employment and raise awareness that this is a viable option for many. The business has been trading for seven years, delivering a series of courses and webinars beyond its main support programme as well as accredited workbooks. From a team of two, it’s grown to 15 staff members, and in the last year alone supported more than a thousand people on their journey to self-employment. Working to support those in the criminal justice system For the first four years of RIFT Social Enterprise’s existence, the government department it’s worked with most has been His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). It has delivered services via the dynamic purchasing system (DPS) for the prison service and through CFO3 (Co-funding Organisation Round 3), which supported people with convictions to overcome barriers to education and employment. This funding ended in July 2024, but the social enterprise has been onboarded by the majority of prime providers delivering the programme's next iteration, CFOE. Two years ago, RIFT Social Enterprise diversified its services and started delivering for the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Restart Scheme. This works with people who have been long-term unemployed, giving them specialist tools and support to get back into the job market. The scheme is primarily contracted out to a series of prime organisations, such as Maximus and Ingeus, and RIFT Social Enterprise currently delivers for 20 different Restart providers all across the country. What are the benefits to government of working with Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Organisations (VCSEs)? RIFT Social Enterprise’s chief executive Andy Gullick emphasises the additional value that comes through partnering with organisations dedicated to creating a positive social or environmental impact: “Social enterprises have social value at their core. The work that we do is founded in doing it for the right reasons, and profits have to be reinvested back into the business for the greater good of the work we’re doing. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy that’s only going to lead to long term benefits for the participants, the local community, and that government contract as a whole.” What tips do you have for other VCSEs looking to work with government? Andy recommends trying to secure contracts with key performance targets, rather than spot purchase arrangements, as this offers a much more stable source of revenue: “When we secured our first contract on the CFO3 provision across the prison service, the fact that we knew we were guaranteed that revenue every month for two years gave us the financial stability to be able to build and look to the future. Yes, we had some tough targets to meet and to evidence, but we knew exactly where we were. At the moment a lot of our contracts are on spot purchase arrangements, so we don’t know from one month to the next how many referrals we’re going to get in and how many successful outcomes we’re going to be able to draw down funding for. See if you can persuade the contracting body or prime to put you on a fixed-term contract with a guaranteed minimum revenue stream every month. It certainly was the building block for us to be able to continue with our growth.” Another top tip is to “network, network, network – get your name out there, go to as many events as you can, get your pitch deck in order and get it done professionally”. One big piece of advice given to Andy when it comes to promoting your business to a contracting organisation is to make sure you focus on the specific issues you can address and how you can work with them to deliver the solutions needed, rather than on broadly talking about what you do: “When talking about promoting your business to primes and to government organisations, start off with the problem you’re going to solve as opposed to what a lot of people do which is saying who we are, what we do, how great we are then at the end talking about the problem. Turn it on its head, go to the prime and tell them - this is a problem I’ve identified that you could potentially face with this contract and this is how we can support you to resolve it.” Based on a conversation with Andy Gullick, Chief Executive at RIFT Social Enterprise riftse.co.uk

Supplying services to the government or intending to? Here’s everything you need to know about the government’s new Procurement Act and how it will affect you.  Many of our members supply goods and services to local and national government, which is why the Procurement Act 2023 finally coming into force on 24 February is big news for social enterprises. The government is telling us that “the rules that shape how public bodies buy goods and services will change,” so if you’re a supplier or aspire to be, read on. We’ll tell you what’s changing, what you can do to prepare for it and why this is good news.  What is the new Procurement Act? According to the government, the new Act will simplify bidding and negotiating for contracts with the public sector by introducing a more flexible process that will reduce bureaucratic barriers for social enterprises. Payment will be more prompt, with 30-day payment terms on more contracts being promised, and suppliers can also expect feedback on their tenders from public bodies.   Key to this slicker way of working will be a new central digital platform, which is being positioned as ‘an enhancement to the existing Find a Tender service’. Registration will be simpler, and you’ll be able to store your core business details, making it easier to share your information with contracting authorities and use it for multiple bids. If you’re interested to see the new platform, the section below tells you how. All public procurement opportunities will be visible and searchable, and you’ll also be able to set up alerts, making it easier to stay aware of relevant available tenders.   The Act also promises a new regulator to ensure everyone plays by the new rules. The slightly Orwellian sounding Procurement Review Unit (PRU) will ‘enhance public sector procurement practice by ensuring adherence to the Procurement Act and safeguarding public procurement from suppliers deemed to pose risk’. Should you feel you were treated unfairly through the procurement process, the PRU will be the people to speak to, including anything to do with late payment.   How to get ready for the changes The government has done a good job in providing lots of resources to help you prepare for this new procurement process. It’s put a wealth of written information at your disposal, but also a library of 'Knowledge Drop' videos, as well as the training materials they are supplying to public sector buyers. You can find links to all of these on the government website. If you can set aside an hour, this video gives an overview of the new Procurement Act, along with key benefits and a demonstration of the new central digital platform. Join one of our practical webinars  We’ll be hosting a series of webinars to support organisations make the most of the opportunities being created by the new procurement landscape. 13 March, 12-12:40pm – Support for social enterprises Join our Deputy CEO, Charlie Wigglesworth, who’ll run through the key requirements for social enterprise suppliers. This webinar will be taking place in our Members’ Area and SEUK members will be sent a sign-up link in advance. If you’re not a member but would like to find out more, please fill out this expression of interest form. 12 March, 11am-12pm – Support for government suppliers VCSE Crown Representative, Claire Dove will run through the governments plans to increase spend with social enterprises and charities, providing practical examples and advice. 11 March, 12-1pm – Support for local authorities This webinar, explicitly tailored to local authority commissioners, will outline why it is important to involve social enterprises in the commissioning process. Why is this an opportunity for social enterprises?  The government has prefaced the Act going live with a National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) which provides transparency to the expectations they have of commissioners.   In it, it’s particularly pleasing to see recognition that social enterprises “are more likely to generate diverse and thriving local economies, creating jobs and economic growth”. Even better, that the number one requirement for economic growth in the NPPS is to “maximise procurement spend with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs)”.  Read our full response to the NPPS. Overall, we see the new Procurement Act and accompanying statement as a good direction of travel towards our aim of all public sector procurement creating social value. If you’re interested in knowing more about this, you can read about our Social Value 2032 Programme.

The UK’s largest charitable social enterprise leisure provider, GLL, will add Westminster Boating Base to its ever-growing list of water facilities when it takes on its management and operations on behalf of the Westminster Boating Base charity from 1 March 2025, following an agreement struck with the charity’s trustees.   GLL operates facilities under its 'Better' brand. The new arrangements will ensure the Pimlico-based charity will continue to be able to meet its charitable objectives to help educate and develop young people and improve lives for many years to come. It will also ensure the Base retains its unique identity and role in the community. Westminster Boating Base offers unrivalled safe and supervised access to the water for local school children who can use its pontoon to get out on the River Thames in kayaks and sailing dinghies. There will be no immediate change to the programme in 2025 under GLL’s expert management. The charitable social enterprise already operates successful water-based facilities in Lee Valley, Hackney, Welwyn Hatfield, Bedford, Manchester, Wales and Cumbria. GLL’s Partnership Manager Katie Foulger said: "We are delighted to add Westminster Boating Base to our ever-growing list of open water facilities - which include an Olympic Canoe Slalom course, Cumbrian and Welsh lakes, a reservoir in Hackney – as well as six lidos.   "Children learn valuable life skills, grow in confidence and thrive through active play and sport.  With the support of the sailing and kayaking experts here, all are assured of the best experience in the capital." "Taking the Base into our GLL family will secure its future for years to come for local children and schools as well as grant access to our Foundations, expertise and 34 years of industry-leading experience – all backed by the strong social values that our brands stand for." Nestled on the banks of the River Thames, Westminster Boating Base also boasts one of London’s most distinctive event venues, offering unparalleled riverside views from its elegant wrap-around balcony.  Already a sought-after destination for weddings, private parties and community events, the venue is now poised for an exciting new chapter under the management of GLL. With a strategic focus on expanding its events programme, Westminster Boating Base will further cement its reputation as a central premium event space while generating essential revenue to support its charitable and youth development initiatives.  GLL’s Head of National Events, Daniel Le Grange commented:  “Westminster Boating Base is an exceptional venue, combining breathtaking Thames views with a versatile and stylish setting. "We are committed to delivering high-end, premium events from conferences to corporate functions to exclusive private parties. "Every event hosted here not only benefits from an extraordinary backdrop but also plays a direct role in supporting the Base’s invaluable community and youth programmes.”  Westminster Boating Base's bookings and facility information are made available via the the website and the better_uk app. Nigel Berman, Chair of Trustees at Westminster Boating Base charity said: “This new partnership with GLL ensures our charitable objectives can be delivered while we retain our unique identity and role in the community. “We look forward to working with GLL to improve outcomes for young people and put the Base on a sustainable financial footing going forward.” GLL will continue the strong relationship built up with clubs and volunteers at the Base. GLL's water-based facilities: Westminster Boating Base, Pimlico Debdale Outdoor Centre, Manchester Lee Valley White Water Centre, Waltham Cross Blue Peris Outdoor Centre, Gwynedd Ghyll Head Activity Centre, Cumbria West Reservoir Centre, Hackney Jesus Green Lido, Cambridge London Fields Lido, Hackney Charlton Lido, Greenwich Abbey Meadows Lido, Oxfordshire Finchley Lido, Barnet Hillingdon Lido and Leisure Centre, Uxbridge better.org.uk

The Living Pension is a new Living Wage Foundation accreditation for employers who want to help workers boost their pension pots. Clean for Good is an award-winning ethical cleaning company and has become the first cleaning company in the UK to become a Living Pension Employer. Clean for Good has recently accredited as a Living Pension Employer. As an early adopter of the Living Pension, their commitment will see all of their employees offered regular pension savings equal to 12% of their wages, including a generous 8% employer contribution. This will ensure that their workers are more likely to retire with a ‘living pension’. Clean for Good is a pioneering company setting new standards in the UK cleaning sector. It was one of the first cleaning companies in the UK to become a fully accredited Living Wage Employer and a B-Corp, It was the first to adopt the Fair Tax Mark. Today it is the first UK cleaning company to become a Living Pension Employer. Clean for Good is a different kind of cleaning company, established as a social business to provide a fairer deal for cleaners and to drive change in a sector that is infamous for low pay and poor conditions. The Living Pension accreditation, awarded by the Living Wage Foundation, is a voluntary savings target for employers who want to help workers, especially those on low pay, build up a pension pot that will provide enough income to meet basic everyday needs in retirement. It launched in March 2023. A Living Pension Employer must meet a pension savings target of 12% of a full time Living Wage worker’s salary, including a minimum 7% employer contribution. Clean for Good is providing an 8% employer contribution, asking employees to provide just 4%, delivering a dignified pension at a low cost to employees. The scheme is voluntary for employees, who can opt in if they wish to benefit. The Living Pension builds on auto-enrolment, which requires a minimum 8% pension savings, with employers contributing at least 3% and workers paying the remaining 5%. (The Living Pension savings target can also be met as a cash amount of £2,950 a year, to which the employer must contribute at least £1,720). The rise in Employer National Insurance contributions from April 2025 has undoubtedly increased the costs for business, especially for a ‘people-business’ like Clean for Good. Yet even in these challenging times, Clean for Good believes that continuing to invest in its people, through initiatives like the Living Pension, is the best way to improve its services to customers. Clean for Good pays the Living Wage, offers occupational Sick Pay and now a Living Pension because it believes that what is good for workers can be good for business. Charlie Walker, Clean for Good’s Managing Director said: “We want to provide our cleaners with a living wage both at work and into retirement. We believe cleaning, in and of itself, is a dignified job and career. So, if you choose to work with Clean for Good we want to honour that, to invest in you, and pay a fair wage both now and after you retire. This is the right thing to do” Katherine Chapman, Director of the Living Wage Foundation, said: “We are delighted that Clean for Good has signed up as a Living Pension employer, providing stability and security for their workers now and in the future. Over the last ten years the Living Wage campaign has grown in strength and numbers. Now paid by over 15,000 employers, it delivers essential pay rises to 460,000 workers every year. The Living Pension builds on this by encouraging employers like Clean for Good to do more to help their workers build a pension pot that meets basic everyday needs in retirement.” Christine Ellis, a cleaner employed at Clean for Good said: “I feel strongly that the Living Pension is a great way to build on my savings funds for retirement alongside the Living Wage standard scheme that has been put into great effect. With the contributions from my employer and me as the employee I could reach my target to live within an acceptable standard when retired." cleanforgood.co.uk

Low Carbon Hub has re-opened its Community Energy Fund, giving you the chance to invest in local, renewable energy projects that benefit both the planet and your pocket. Since November 2024, over £500,000 has already been raised but our target is £800,000 by the end of March 2025, which will allow us to make an even bigger impact. Your investment will support: More community-owned renewable energy projects. Cut carbon emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Growth of funding that supports local communities. Join nearly 2,000 investor members, earn a target return of up to 5%, all while helping to speed up the transition to a cleaner, greener energy system. Find out more and invest in the Community Energy Fund: lowcarbonhub.org/invest Capital at risk; returns not guaranteed. About Low Carbon Hub Low Carbon Hub is an award-winning social enterprise that’s out to prove we can meet our energy needs in a way that’s good for people and good for the planet. We develop community-owned renewable energy projects across Oxfordshire, help homes and businesses reduce their energy demand, and run innovative energy trials to help accelerate the transition to a net zero energy system. 100% of project surplus is reinvested into further carbon-cutting initiatives. Last year we hit a key milestone of reinvesting £1 million of their project surplus into community benefit. Backed by over £10 million in investment, they manage 55 renewable energy projects including: Rooftop solar on schools and businesses The largest community-owned ground mount solar park The largest community-owned hydro at Sandford. Find out more about their work: lowcarbonhub.org

Social Enterprise UK welcomes the publication of the government’s National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS), which recognises the power of public procurement, and how social enterprises “are more likely to generate diverse and thriving local economies, creating jobs and economic growth".  The new Procurement Act, launching on 24 February, will mean the biggest change to public procurement in a generation. It is particularly pleasing to see the NPPS recognise the value of voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs). The number one requirement for economic growth in the NPPS is to "maximise procurement spend with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and VCSEs".   As the national voice for social enterprise, we have long been building the evidence and making the case for procuring goods and services from businesses with a social and environmental purpose. The Future Economy Alliance, led by us, called for public sector procurement to give greater consideration to purpose, use of profits, paying taxes and employment practices. The NPPS does just that.  We also welcome the government’s commitment to mandatory targets for spending with voluntary, community and social enterprises from April 2026, something we've long called for.   However, we note that this applies to direct spending only. Given that nearly 50% of government spending with SMEs is indirect, we hope the government will consider applying these targets to all procurement (direct and indirect) in future. From our work on the Buy Social Corporate Challenge, we know that there is a genuine appetite from large business to work with VCSEs in their supply chains.  We would like to thank Claire Dove CBE DL for her work as VCSE Crown Representative driving public procurement to create social value, and to Georgia Gould and the Cabinet Office team for their leadership.   Our organisation has worked with 12 central government departments in the past three years to benchmark their VCSE spending. We look forward to supporting more departments and agencies in the future to achieve fairer and more sustainable use of taxpayers’ money that delivers the greatest economic and social value.  

The government has announced that a Social Impact Investment Advisory Group will ‘review existing work on impact capital ... and provide views on the long-term future and direction of this work.’   As this comes hot on the heels of Lord Adebowale’s recent report into social investment, this should be welcome news. There’s only one problem: they’re not talking to social enterprises – the customers for social investment – about it.  To try and address this oversight, we’re publishing an open letter to the government pointing out some of the flaws in social investment uncovered by the Adebowale Commission and offering to work with them, connecting them with social enterprises to talk to as part of their work.   Our open letter Dear Chief Secretary and Secretary of State,  As representatives of social enterprises across the UK, we were interested to see the promise of a new Social Impact Investment Vehicle announced in the Autumn Budget, which we hope can support the Labour government to deliver on its key missions.  As you will be aware, social enterprises work in every sector of the UK economy. Government figures report 131,000 social enterprises, with a collective turnover of £78 billion and employing around 2.3 million people. These businesses are growing local economies, delivering high quality public services, running creative arts and leisure services, hospitality and restaurants, cleaning, recycling, clean energy and waste management businesses.  We know that investment can be a powerful tool which enables mission-led businesses to thrive – evidence tells us that social enterprises which receive investment experience higher growth and make an even greater contribution to our economy and society.  Yet too often over the last decade, the promise of social impact investment has failed to reach its full potential. This is especially true for marginalised social entrepreneurs.  In 2023, while 40% of social enterprises did not think the finance available to them was suitable, this number rose to 51% among Black-led social enterprises. Similarly, while 60% of social enterprises reported that financial barriers were impeding their growth, 71% of Black-led social enterprises felt this applied to them.  We were particularly pleased to see, therefore, that the new Social Impact Investment Advisory Group will review existing work in the field and provide views on the long-term future and direction in this area. We hope the Advisory Group can play a deliberate role in reducing these inequalities and ensure social entrepreneurs from all backgrounds have access to flexible, sustainable finance.  To ensure that this new impetus does not replicate the existing inequalities found within social impact investment, it is critical, therefore, that membership of the Advisory Group is balanced by those with less power in the market. We urge you to engage not only with existing investment providers and financiers, but also with those on the demand side - with social entrepreneurs, with those who struggle most to attract finance, and with those who have yet to see the benefits of shared ambitions.  We would like to support you with the development of a new, shared direction for the future of social impact investment – one which engages with social enterprises up and down the country and from all backgrounds, and which can unlock the potential of those who are often left behind by existing initiatives.  We would be happy to recommend social entrepreneurs and social enterprises to engage with as part of the Advisory Group, and throughout their work, to ensure this new impetus addresses imbalances in the social impact investment field and delivers inclusive economic and social value in support of the government’s missions.  We want to see mission-led businesses work hand in hand with your mission-led government to deliver sustainable social and economic impact across the UK. We look forward to supporting your work further and welcome the opportunity to meet with you at your earliest convenience.   Yours sincerely,  Bethan Webber, Colin Jess, Chris Martin, and Peter Holbrook  CEOs of Cwmpas, Social Enterprise Northern Ireland, Social Enterprise Scotland, and Social Enterprise UK 

Zaytoun, the pioneering social enterprise supporting the resilience of Palestinian communities through fair trade, is proud to welcome Mike Gidney, outgoing CEO of the Fairtrade Foundation, to its Board of Directors. Mike Gidney brings over a decade of leadership at the helm of the Fairtrade Foundation, where he championed the cause of justice and empowerment for small-scale producers facing very different challenges all over the world. His commitment to building equitable supply chains aligns seamlessly with Zaytoun’s mission to connect Palestinian farmers and producers with international markets. “Zaytoun is the very best of Fairtrade – a great range products, all wonderful quality, which enable farming communities to withstand the enormous challenges they face, and to plan for a better future”, said Mike Gidney. “I’m honoured to join Zaytoun’s Board at such a significant moment in its history. For 20 years, Zaytoun has demonstrated the transformative power of fair trade, in supporting Palestinian small-scale producers. I look forward to contributing to its continued growth and impact.” “We’re thrilled to welcome Mike to our Board at this pivotal moment in Zaytoun’s journey,” said Manal Ramadan White, Managing Director of Zaytoun. “His leadership at the Fairtrade Foundation has been truly transformative, advancing trade justice and ensuring the Fairtrade mark remains a symbol of integrity and impact. His expertise in fair trade and global advocacy will be invaluable as we continue to champion Palestinian producers and navigate an increasingly challenging landscape.” Mike Gidney’s appointment comes as Zaytoun celebrates its 20th anniversary – his vast experience and visionary leadership will support Zaytoun’s efforts to grow its reach and expand market opportunities for Palestinian products in the UK and Ireland. By creating and growing a market for Palestinian products here in the UK and Ireland, Zaytoun is helping ensure a reliable and fair income stream for farmers and producers in the West Bank. As farming and food production is one of the few sources of income left to Palestinians, cultivating and selling their products is more vital than ever, both to ensure the resilience of farming communities and to help prevent confiscation of land that has been in families for centuries. Supporting Palestinians by buying their products is also an act of solidarity which is felt deeply in the West Bank.