Advertisement
Activism

Social enterprise is the business, says Holyrood minister Jeanne Freeman

The social security minister describes the positive impact of social enterprise upon Scotland’s economy

They’re out there trading for people and planet, enriching their communities rather than shareholders.

Now social enterprises like The Big Issue have been held up by politicians as the progressive business model traditional companies should aspire to.

“Right now across Scotland social enterprise is shaping economic and civic life,” Scotland’s social security minister Jeanne Freeman told the Social Enterprise Exchange Marketplace in Edinburgh.

She was referring to the fact that women are at the helm of 60 per cent of social enterprises, and the average ratio between the highest and lowest-paid workers is 2.5:1 – as opposed to an average of 130:1 across FTSE100 firms.

Standing in for Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Freeman told the 500-strong gathering at the city’s Corn Exchange that she and her colleagues wanted to see social enterprise becoming “the norm”.

She told delegates from across all areas of business that the ideals of the social enterprise movement, such as paying a living wage and forging connections with their communities, were inspirational. “Many of our other companies and businesses can do much to learn from that,” she said.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Photo credit: Becky Duncan / Open Aye Ltd

Advertisement

Sign our petition to keep people in their homes

Urgent action is needed to prevent even more people being pushed into homelessness.  A secure home is the first step in addressing the cruel cycle of poverty to ensure people can fulfil their potential. Join us to keep people in their homes.

Recommended for you

Read All
Government slammed for ‘disappointing’ silence on compulsory domestic abuse lessons: 'It's time for action'
Domestic abuse

Government slammed for ‘disappointing’ silence on compulsory domestic abuse lessons: 'It's time for action'

Social Bite's Josh Littlejohn explains how his Edinburgh cafe 'made friends' with George Clooney
Letter to My Younger Self

Social Bite's Josh Littlejohn explains how his Edinburgh cafe 'made friends' with George Clooney

Big Issue urges prime minister to protect renters with bold Rishi's Removals stunt
End Housing Insecurity Now

Big Issue urges prime minister to protect renters with bold Rishi's Removals stunt

These are the charities that collect furniture from your home to help those in need
Activism

These are the charities that collect furniture from your home to help those in need

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when people will get the second cost of living payment in 2023
3.

Here's when people will get the second cost of living payment in 2023

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue