A report said that low-cost specialist governance advisers for social enterprise were almost impossible to find, and standards of support varied hugely.
Source: For Love and Money: Governance and social enterprise, Governance Hub c/o National Council for Voluntary Organisations (020 7520 2514) and Social Enterprise Coalition Links: Report | Governance Hub press release
Date: 2007-Dec
A working group of the opposition Conservative Party proposed the creation of 'social enterprise zones' in order to help revive deprived neighbourhoods. It proposed tax breaks along the lines of those for venture capital trusts.
Source: Social Enterprise Zones Task Force, Social Enterprise Zones, Conservative Party (020 7222 9000)
Links: Report | Conservative Party press release | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Aug
A report examined social enterprise schemes in the National Health Service. It said that sustainability was always going to be a problem; and that there were important issues for staff in relation to pension entitlements, and other terms and conditions.
Source: Linda Marks and David Hunter, Social Enterprises and the NHS: changing patterns of ownership and accountability, Unison (0845 355 0845)
Links: Report | Unison press release | Kings Fund press release
Date: 2007-Jul
The government began consultation on the legislative needs of co-operatives and credit unions, in order to allow them to operate more effectively.
Source: Review of the GB Cooperative and Credit Union Legislation: A consultation, HM Treasury (020 7270 4558)
Links: Consultation document | HMT press release | Regeneration & Renewal report
Date: 2007-Jun
An article said that a social enterprise approach to formalizing the informal economy would be of benefit to tackling joblessness and social exclusion, as well as generating further social economic activity in deprived neighbourhoods.
Source: Mel Evans, 'Mutualising cash-in-hand? Social enterprise, informal economic activity and deprived neighbourhoods', Local Government Studies, Volume 33 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jun
A report highlighted the diverse range of social enterprises operating in emerging health markets, and their fresh approaches to service delivery. It said that the social enterprise model could empower health workers and patients to tackle deep-rooted issues faced by parts of the health sector, such as bureaucracy, low staff morale, and low patient satisfaction.
Source: Matthew Walsham, Christian Dingwall and Ian Hempseed, Healthy Business: A guide to social enterprise in health and social care, Social Enterprise Coalition (020 7968 4921) and Hempsons
Links: Report | SEC press release
Date: 2007-Mar
A strategy and action plan were launched, designed to promote and develop social enterprise in Scotland.
Source: Better Business: A strategy and action plan for social enterprise in Scotland, Communities Scotland/Scottish Executive (0131 313 0044)
Links: Strategy | Communities Scotland press release
Date: 2007-Mar
A collection of essays examined how the barriers to more widespread use of social enterprise could be surmounted. It said that the development of social enterprises could make a radical difference to the provision of public services and stimulate community enterprise, employment, and regeneration.
Source: Andrea Westall and Danny Chalkley (eds.), Social Enterprise Futures, Smith Institute (020 7592 3618)
Date: 2007-Mar
A report set out a detailed blueprint for employing the unclaimed capital released from dormant bank accounts. It said that the creation of a 'Social Investment Bank' could lead to the emergence of a thriving social investment market capable of fostering the inclusion of marginalized communities in the mainstream economy, while enhancing skills and financial management across the charitable and voluntary sectors.
Source: The Social Investment Bank: Its organisation and role in driving development of the third sector, Commission on Unclaimed Assets (020 7320 3045)
Links: Report | CUA press release | Transact press release | Futurebuilders press release | SEC press release
Date: 2007-Mar
The government began consultation on proposals to introduce an unclaimed assets scheme, in order to allow money in dormant bank and building society accounts to be reinvested in society (without taking away consumers' rights to reclaim their money).
Source: A UK Unclaimed Asset Scheme: A consultation, HM Treasury (020 7270 4558)
Links: Consultation document | Hansard | HMT press release | BBA press release
Date: 2007-Mar