A report examined the social firm sector in 2005. It included analysis of business sectors, employee information, legal structures, and regions. The average percentage of both full-time and part-time posts held by disabled people was 55 per cent.
Source: Mapping: Analysis and Statistics of the UK Social Firm Sector, Social Firms UK (01737 764021)
Links: Report | SFUK press release
Date: 2005-Dec
A think-tank report said that co-operatives were well-placed to compete for public service delivery contracts.
Source: Howard Reed and Kate Stanley, Cooperative Social Enterprise and its Potential in Public Service Delivery, Institute for Public Policy Research, available from Central Books (0845 458 9911)
Links: Report (pdf) | Children Now report
Date: 2005-Oct
A report said that small businesses could play a significant role in improving social enterprise and the employment opportunities of disadvantaged communities.
Source: NERA Economic Consulting, A Study of the Benefits of Public Sector Procurement from Small Businesses, Department of Trade and Industry (0870 150 2500)
Links: Report (pdf) | DTI press release
Date: 2005-Sep
A study examined the needs of black minority ethnic and women-led, urban-based, fledgling social enterprises in relation to support services offered under a government pilot initiative called Enterprising Communities .
Source: Community Action Network and Amazon Initiatives, Evaluation of the Support for Enterprising Communities Project: Urban-based social enterprises led by women, primarily from ethnic minority communities, Research Report 653A, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2005-Aug
A survey report said that there were around 15,000 social enterprises. They accounted for around 1.2 per cent of all enterprises, and for turnover of around ?18 billion per annum.
Source: IFF Research Ltd, A Survey of Social Enterprises Across the UK, Small Business Service/Department of Trade and Industry (0845 001 0031)
Links: Report (pdf) | SBS press release
Date: 2005-Jul
The Welsh Assembly Government launched the first social enterprise strategy for Wales.
Source: Social Enterprise Strategy for Wales, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Strategy (pdf) | WAG press release
Date: 2005-Jun
Researchers evaluated a set of pilot projects supporting social enterprises. They found that social enterprises had a wide range of impacts on deprived areas and groups - in terms of services provided, employment, and building social capital. Appropriate support could expand their impact considerably.
Source: Fergus Lyon, Mel Evans, Mark Ramsden, and Julie Burch, Evaluation of the Support for Enterprising Communities Pilot Project, Research Report 653, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2005-Jun
A position statement by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs set out how social enterprise was contributing to its objectives, and how it planned to support the social enterprise sector.
Source: Defra and Social Enterprise: A position statement, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (08459 556000)
Links: Statement (pdf)
Date: 2005-Mar