Social enterprises and cooperatives need to tell Britain’s leaders what they want

The Social Economy Alliance (SEA) is calling on social enterprises and cooperatives to join its campaign and tell British leaders what they can do to help the social economy.

In a letter published today , the SEA says that more should be done to help shape policies that can help the economy serve society and communities, and is asking organisations to join its campaign.

Initiatives supported by the Alliance, which has 24 member organisations from across all spectrums of the social economy, include cooperative housing, social finance and community energy.

The letter claims that the UK is at the “cutting edge” of the social economy, but that “mainstream political parties are being slow to wake up to it“, and calls on the knowledge and expertise of organisations to help shape future public policy for the next government.

Celia Richardson, director of the Alliance said, “The UK needs an economy that works for people and communities. Social enterprises, cooperatives and likeminded organisations are building a social economy that’s addressing some of the country’s toughest challenges – like fuel poverty and youth unemployment.

She added, “Our political leaders need to take note. In the run up to the next general election, the Social Economy Alliance and its partners are bringing the social economy agenda to the table of all the main political parties. But we want more people from our movement to feed into our recommendations for the next government”.

The Alliance is launching an 8-week consultation, in which social enterprises from across the UK can have their say. On March 25, the Alliance is holding a free open mic event in Manchester, giving delegates the opportunity to have their say in person.

Richardson added that the Alliance is opening up its membership, which will be free for interested parties.

Further reading:

Government sets out social enterprise support in Social Investment Roadmap

Social enterprises call on shoppers to spend sustainably on Cyber Monday

Social enterprises generate £2.7 billion to plough back into society

Social enterprises are ‘real success story’ for UK business

Concerns raised over social investment tax relief