Wednesday 6 September 2017

New Census Reveals Big Growth of Social Enterprises in Scotland

The latest Social Enterprise in Scotland: Census 2017 report has been launched in Glasgow today (Wednesday 6 September). The new report shows clear growth in the number of social enterprises and their economic impact.
 
The research cements Scotland’s global reputation as a world-leading nation in the support and development of social enterprise:
 
  • 5600 social enterprises now operating in Scotland (up from 5199 in 2015)
  • 64% of Scotland’s social enterprises led by women
  • £2bn GVA, the economic contribution of social enterprises to Scotland
  • 34% of social enterprises located in rural Scotland
  • 50% negatively affected by the economic climate over the last 12 months
  • 599 social enterprises formed in the last two years
  • 81,357 full-time equivalent employees in Scottish social enterprises
  • 1:2.5, is the average differential between the highest and lowest paid worker

Read the full report and summary documents
 
The project was led in partnership with a range of sector support organisations and The Scottish Government.
 
Gerry Higgins, of Community Enterprise in Scotland (CEIS), speaking on behalf of the steering group said:

“Social Enterprise in Scotland: Census 2017 demonstrates a strong and growing social enterprise community in Scotland. The data in the report contain a broadly positive picture, with social enterprises making a significant economic contribution and demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges for the economy and public services. 
 
“Social enterprises play an essential role in communities across the country, particularly in the most remote parts of Scotland. The 2017 Census also shows that some parts of the sector remain fragile or in need of continuing support to fully realise their potential. 
 
“This is the second time we've measured social enterprise activity across every region of Scotland and allows us to begin comparing and contrasting the data with the 2015 Census. 
 
“As public expectations of business and the need for an inclusive economy grow, we need to continue investing in Scotland's world-class support for social enterprise. A huge thank you must go to everyone who took part in leading the research, from the national steering group to the dedicated research team who produced such a thorough and robust report.” 
 
Angela Constance MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities, The Scottish Government said:
 
“I have no doubt of the contribution that social enterprises make to our country. They are fantastic examples of what we want to achieve in a fairer Scotland - reducing inequality, lifting people out of poverty and encouraging more empowered and resilient communities. It is staggering, but perhaps unsurprising, that the sector makes a combined contribution to the Scottish economy every year of just over £2 billion. 
 
“The Scottish Government will continue to support social enterprises through our ten year strategy, investing millions of pounds into the sector. We are also keen to work with social enterprise communities at home and abroad, particularly around the Social Enterprise World Forum. I am proud of all we have achieved, working collaboratively and I look forward to doing even more in the years to come.”
 
Note that while many of the new statistics can be compared to the 2015 report, some data gathering has been improved and direct comparisons are not possible e.g. the number of jobs is now a full time equivalent figure.
 
The full report was launched on Wednesday 6 September at the CEIS Policy and Practice conference in Glasgow and is available to download from the Social Enterprise Scotland and CEIS websites.
 
For further information, to arrange an interview or to request a social enterprise feature for print please contact: duncan.thorp@socialenterprise.scot / 07501 221 581.
 
#SocEntCensus17

Tuesday 5 September 2017

Scottish Government Unveils Priorities for 2017 - 2018

Scottish Government - Seizing the opportunities of the low carbon revolution, investing in future economic growth and improving the lives of all our young people will be central to the Scottish Government’s Programme for the coming year.
Outlining the Government’s priorities First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said action would be taken to phase out the need for petrol and diesel vehicles by 2032 and fast-track the development of a Scotland wide charging network. The FM also unveiled plans for a Scottish National Investment Bank to deliver long term financial support for innovative industries.
As part of the commitment to closing the poverty related attainment gap, the FM said an Education bill will be the centrepiece of the legislative programme for the year ahead, with major reforms also taking place in health and justice and a review of local democracy.
Other measures within the Programme for Government – which confirmed 16 new pieces of legislation - include:
  • support for key business sectors including low carbon, screen, manufacturing and financial technology
  • extending free personal care to all those under 65 who need it, known as ‘Frank’s Law’
  • rolling out new social security powers as part of a package of measures to tackle inequality, child poverty, end rough sleeping, reduce drug deaths and provide free sanitary protection to students in school, college and university
  • extending the presumption against short prison sentences to 12 months to break the cycle of offending and encourage the greater use of more effective community sentences
  • record investment in the NHS and a pledge to lift the public sector pay cap for NHS and other public sector workers
  • doubling the provision of free childcare
  • Improving public health with action on air quality, increased investment in active travel and measures to restrict the marketing of fatty and sugary food and drink
  • A discussion paper on the use of income tax in Scotland to support public services
The First Minister said:
“We live in a time of unprecedented global challenge and change.
“We face rapid advances in technology; a moral obligation to tackle climate change; an ageing population; the impact of continued austerity and deep seated challenges of poverty and inequality; and an apparent rise in the forces of intolerance and protectionism.
“These challenges are considerable, but in each of them we will find opportunity. It is our job to seize it. This Programme for Government is our plan to do that. Ensuring that we have a highly educated and skilled population, able to adapt to the needs of a rapidly changing economy, is vital to our future prosperity and our wellbeing.
“That is why improving education – and closing the attainment gap – is our number one priority. A good education is important for its own sake. It contributes to the health, happiness and fulfilment of all of us as individuals.
“But it is also vital to building a modern, successful, dynamic economy. To succeed, Scotland must lead change, not trail in its wake.
“We must aspire to be the inventor and the manufacturer of the digital, high tech and low carbon innovations that will shape the future, not just a consumer of them.
“To encourage others to see Scotland as the place to research, design and manufacture their innovations - for us to become a laboratory for the rest of the world in the digital and low carbon technologies we want to champion - we must also become early adopters of them. We must be bold in our ambitions.
“The programme that I have set out today, the policies and the legislation, is fresh, bold and ambitious – and because of that, aspects of it undoubtedly will be controversial.
“That is inevitable – indeed it is necessary. No one has ever built a better country by always taking the easy option. This programme is about equipping Scotland - not just for the next year - but for the next decade and beyond.”
Background
The Programme for Government http://www.gov.scot/programme2017
New legislation announced for 2017-18 is:
Budget Bill
Climate Change Bill
Crown Estate Bill
Damages Bill
Education Bill
Land and Buildings Transaction Tax Bill
Management of Offenders Bill
Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility Bill
Organ and Tissue Donation Bill
Planning Bill
Prescription Bill
Safe Staffing Bill
Sexual Offences (pardons and disregards) Bill
Transport Bill
Vulnerable Witnesses and Pre-recorded Evidence Bill
Warm Homes Bill

Friday 1 September 2017

Poverty and Inequality Commissioners Announced

01/09/2017 - Ahead of the first meeting of Scotland’s new Poverty and Inequality Commission,  Chair, Douglas Hamilton today announced the Commissioners will be:

  • David Eiser
  • Hugh Foy
  • Caroline Kennedy
  • Katie Schmuecker
  • Sally Witcher
Two deputy chairs, Kaliani Lyle and Naomi Eisenstadt, have already been appointed and a  further member will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Poverty and Inequality Commission brings together members who have a broad range of expertise from lived experience, community work, policy development and academic research.
Commissioners will have an advocacy role, promoting the importance of particular issues with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders.

Welcoming the appointments Equalities Secretary Angela Constance said:

“I am delighted to see such a strong panel of representatives with a wealth of knowledge and talent. I know they will be able to draw on their wide background of experience to provide real value and influence.

“The Commission will provide independent advice to ministers and give scrutiny on where more action could be taken to reduce poverty and inequality. I look forward to receiving their advice and using it to help develop policy that will tackle poverty and inequality in particular the first child poverty delivery plan next year.”

Mr Hamilton said:

“The Commission has been given a broad remit and the appointments I have made will ensure we can address the issues that need to be considered with a great degree of expertise. Each of the Commissioners also brings a strong personal commitment to playing their part in addressing the unacceptable levels of poverty and inequality in Scotland.

“Over the past few weeks, I have also received offers of assistance from experts from a range of other organisations which I very much welcome. It is clear that there is a strong body of support for the work of the Commission and we will ensure that we take account of a wide spectrum of views when setting out our positions.”

Background:

The First Minister announced the creation of the Poverty and Inequality Commission on July 3, along with the names of the Chair and Deputy Chairs.

In making the appointments, the Chair sought to invite members who have a broad and deep understanding of the issues. As part of the selection process, nominations were invited from the Poverty Truth Commission, Poverty Alliance and Joseph Rowntree Foundation

The Commission will be in place for an initial two year period, in advance of any statutory arrangements that may be put in place via the Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill. The Commission’s first task will be to provide independent advice to Ministers on the first child poverty Delivery Plan, due in April 2018.

Biographies of those appointed to the Commission can be viewed here.

Further details of the Commissions intended form and remit were outlined within a position paper published by the Scottish Government in July.