Social Enterprise Barometer – Employment and policy priorities

Three years ago the Commission on Social Investment founded by our Chair, Lord Victor Adebowale, published its findings. It found some key structural issues within the social investment market including the deprioritisation of social enterprises over the past decade and regional disparities in access to finance. We've just published a review into whether the Commission's recommendations for reform have been delivered.  ‘This report card’ recognises some signs of progress but also highlights concerns in areas such as government strategy, key market institutions and access to funding products.

This Insights Paper outlines the key themes from the latest Social Enterprise Advisory Panel, a quarterly survey by Social Enterprise UK to collect a snapshot of  sector conditions and expectations. The paper looks at the challenges social enterprises have faced over the last year, the sector’s priorities for the new Labour government, the role of local government, views on the Procurement Act and the government’s New Deal for Working People.

This paper, published in partnership with the Living Wage Foundation, delves into the quality of employment created by social enterprises compared to the wider business community. From recruitment to paying the Real Living Wage (RLW) – the report takes a comprehensive look at just why social enterprises represent business at its best when it comes to work, finding that social enterprise employers are more likely to pay better, offer training, involve employees in organisational decision-making, and retain staff.