PRIME MINISTER MEETS SOCIAL ENTERPRISE LEADERS

PRIME MINISTER MEETS SOCIAL ENTERPRISE LEADERS

Prime Minister Tony Blair has applauded forward-looking councils' who are working with social enterprises in the delivery of socially innovative public services.

The Prime Minister told a small delegation of local authority councillors and social enterprise leaders that they were blazing a trail which he hoped others would follow just a week before national Social Enterprise Day (Thursday, November 17).

Exploring with the group the potential of social enterprise to do more public service delivery and to examine what barriers exist which might prevent expansion, the Prime Minister commented:

"Local authorities must be more innovative in their approach to public service delivery, and that includes looking at the bigger picture provided by social enterprises."

"The social, economic and environmental benefits of social enterprises are astounding, but there is much room for improvement if we want this important sector to continue to thrive."

"I was delighted to meet so many forward-looking council leaders and social entrepreneurs. They are blazing a trail which I hope others will follow."

The meeting, which was held at 10 Downing Street, London, was also attended by Cabinet Office minister Ed Miliband, who will launch the Government's first-ever social enterprise action plan on November 16 with Chancellor Gordon Brown.

Jonathan Bland, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise Coalition, welcomed the Prime Minister's recognition of social enterprise:

"We are delighted with the prime ministers support for the work that social enterprises are doing in communities all across the UK. Local authorities and other public bodies can get so much more for their money if they work with social enterprise."

For more information and interview opportunities, please contact Louise Third on 0115 906 1377 or email louise@integra.gb.com

ENDS

Notes to editors:
Social enterprises are an alternative model of business - they are driven by a social and/or environmental purpose and reinvest their profits in the company or directly in the community. Examples include The Big Issue, ECT Group and Turning Point.

The Government estimates there are 55,000 social enterprises in Britain today, representing over 5% of all businesses with employees and contributing £8.4bn to the economy. Their value is amplified by their social and environmental benefits.

Last month's Local Government White Paper encouraged councils to work with social enterprises and other third sector organisations to reform the delivery of local public services.

The Social Enterprise Coalition is the UK's national body for social enterprise. Acting as the voice for the sector, it supports and represents the work of its members, influences national policy and promotes best practice. www.socialenterprise.org.uk