Social Enterprise UK

Social Enterprise UK We are the UK’s strong voice for social enterprise.

It's clear that social enterprises have strong feelings about the recent government changes to social value. Today we’re...
07/10/2026

It's clear that social enterprises have strong feelings about the recent government changes to social value.

Today we’re sending a letter to First Secretary of State, Louise Haigh MP and Mark Ferguson MP in the Cabinet Office that represents the views of social enterprises which responded to the survey we published.

Supply chain diversity and reserving contracts for £1m or less for VCSEs and SMEs saw strong backing. The letter also includes recommendations for the government on the changes before they roll out guidance to commissioners. For the full story click here https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/news-and-views/social-enterprises-stand-up-for-social-value/

01/10/2026

The UK Social Enterprise Awards always throw up a few surprises. And we’ve got a good one to announce this year.

Alongside the absolutely awesome social enterprises that are announced as winners, Michael Sheen, Aisling Bea, Sara Pascoe and Alex Horne of Taskmaster (with his band) have all joined us onstage over the years for the celebrations.

Bringing the party to Manchester this year will be local legend Rowetta, whose soulful voice was essential to the Happy Mondays evolution from indie band into the baggy groovers that embodied the Madchester era. Inspiral Carpets were also part of the same scene, and Clint Boon from the band will also be DJing.

There are now just 6 WEEKS left to get your tickets. We’ll be announcing more great acts in the coming days, so there’s no time to delay! Reserve your place here >> https://www.eventora.com/en/Events/uk-social-enterprise-awards-2026

30/09/2026

That's a wrap on Labour Party Conference 2026!

With the PM setting out an ambitious new direction for government, social enterprises have a vital role to play in delivering an economy that works for all from creating the jobs of the future to transforming social care. Here's some of our conference highlights!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to engage with the social enterprise message 👏

29/09/2026

It's Day 2 at the Labour Party Conference. It is all about meeting as many Ministers, MPs and other political decision-makers as possible.

That's why this year, we've brought along a social enterprise goody bag featuring plenty of talking points. We've handed these out to some political bigwigs, including the Chancellor, John Healey, Louise Haigh, Bridget Phillipson, and the PPS to the PM, Jo Platt!

Here's our Head of Public Affairs, Jovan Owusu-Nepaul, running through what's in the bag and what happened when Jo Platt found her boss on a sock!

28/09/2026

It's our first full day at Labour Conference, and we're there to show MPs and decision makers why they need to get behind the social enterprise movement in order to deliver the growth in every postcode promised by the PM.

We have three clear immediate policy asks which we'll be speaking to delegates about:

1️⃣ Recognise social enterprises explicitly in next month's budget for the role they are already playing in driving economic growth that is inclusive and benefits communities

2️⃣ Protect social value below the £1m procurement threshold so social enterprises don't miss out on government contracts

3️⃣ Extend business rates relief to social enterprises

We'll be handing out some goodies to delegates, all provided by social enterprises, including our Andy Burnham socks from Stand4 Socks, Belu water cans, and a tote bag from Printed by Us. What's more, we also have our 'All Together Now' pamphlet in the form of a railway map showing how, across different policy areas from social care to job creation, social enterprises are already delivering a better way of doing business.

If you're at conference come and find our team - Peter Holbrook, Jovan Owusu-Nepaul, Andy Daly and Lee Mannion. We'll be out and about the secure zone till Wednesday morning and will also be at Better Society Capital's Impact Economy Sector Drinks at The Botanist in Liverpool’s Albert Dock on Tuesday from 4pm.

Andy Burnham made social enterprise his first stop before meeting Trump and addressing the UN yesterday. He met with Jos...
23/09/2026

Andy Burnham made social enterprise his first stop before meeting Trump and addressing the UN yesterday.

He met with Josh Turner of Stand4 Socks in New York's Central Park to discuss homelessness. Josh presented the PM with the socks we’ve commissioned to take to Labour Party conference.

We’ll use the socks to hook policymakers into conversations about how social enterprises contribute to society. We think they're pretty attention-grabbing!

And if you’d like to see them for yourself, meet our team, Jovan Owusu-Nepaul, Andy Daly, Lee Mannion and Peter Holbrook at Labour Party Conference. We'll be there from the Sunday evening to Wednesday morning and will be at Better Society Capital's Impact Economy Sector Drinks at The Botanist in Liverpool’s Albert Dock on Tuesday from 4pm.

If you're attending Labour Conference, let us know what you're getting up to and get in touch!

What will we be discussing with the government in the months ahead? We’ll be building on the healthy engagement the Soci...
21/09/2026

What will we be discussing with the government in the months ahead?

We’ll be building on the healthy engagement the Social, Cooperative and Community Economy All-Party Parliamentary Group saw in the first half of this year.

In the months ahead and into 2027, the APPG will be meeting about the following:

1️⃣ How community energy social enterprises can help the government achieve net zero and Great British Energy's ambitions.

2️⃣ Further making the case for the kind of social care provision that puts people (rather than profit) first.

3️⃣ How the many social enterprises successfully offering the next generation training and job opportunities can be better supported.

4️⃣ Demonstrating that community asset ownership is a proven, scalable driver of local economic renewal.

SEUK members working in these areas are being invited to these meetings to give evidence and discuss obstacles. If you’re interested in helping to shape policy, SEUK membership can help get your voice heard!

Find out more about how joining our network can support your social enterprise here https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/join-us-as-a-social-enterprise/

17/09/2026

There’s still time to stand up for social value.

Watch our Head of Public Affairs, Jovan, explain why we’d love your feedback about recent government changes.

After watching, please fill in our survey before the end of the working day on Monday 21st September. We’ll compile the recommendations and deliver them to government before guidance is rolled out to procurement commissioners.

Click here to take the survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L62SJ8M

16/09/2026

You don't need to be a social enterprise to be part of our network!

Private businesses, charities, universities, housing associations and public bodies can all join the social enterprise movement by becoming SEUK supporter members!

Being part of our community can help you make social value-driven decisions in your daily business operations, support our efforts to create a policy environment where social enterprises can thrive, and contribute to meaningful change that helps the sector grow! Join us to:

✅️ Find social enterprises best suited to your needs, including procurement partners and those best suited for your ESG initiatives
✅️ Attend exclusive leadership events such as our Social Value Leaders' Summit
✅️ Connect with local social enterprises in your community
✅️ Get the opportunity to be a part of our social procurement programmes, helping look at your procurement spend to identify where you can partner with social enterprise suppliers
✅️ Shape research to influence the policy landscape

Find out more about supporter membership and sign up here https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/join-us-as-a-supporter-member/

It's your chance to give back to and join a movement changing the way we do business!

The government has changed the rules on how public money will deliver social value, but has it got it right? We want to ...
14/09/2026

The government has changed the rules on how public money will deliver social value, but has it got it right? We want to know what you think!

While we welcome the priority the government has placed on social value in the early days of the administration, a narrower definition of social value and a new £1 million threshold below which requirements no longer apply is of concern.

There's also the loss of scoring for supply chain diversity, excluding many of the organisations best placed to deliver “good growth in every postcode”.

Before the government publishes technical guidance this autumn, it has left the door open for further evidence. That's why we need to hear from you.

📋 Take 5–10 minutes to have your say

⏰ Survey closes 5pm, Monday 21st September

📣 We'll use the results to publish recommendations for government.

Take part here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L62SJ8M

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