Social Firms UK

Social Firms UK has fed into the interim "Tackling Worklessness" report that Claire Dove (Chair of the Social Enterprise Coalition) with Councillor Stephen Houghton (Leader of the Labour Group at Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council) has submitted to Hazel Blears. The final report is due to be published by the end of March 2009. Social Firms UK's position statement here shows what Social Firms UK sees as some key issues raised by Working Neighbourhood Fund as well as our comments on the "Tackling Worklessness" interim report.

The Working Neighbourhood Fund is being directed at the most deprived local areas. Councillor Houghton was commissioned to report on the best ways it can be used to tackle worklessness.  Social Firms UK highlights that the employment rate for people at most disadvantage because they have, for example,  a learning disability or a mental health problem for example,  can be higher than the general employment rate for people in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. We underline the importance of local decision making bodies reaching out to local providers to realise the potential for more jobs and more trading opportunities. We agree with Cllr Houghton’s interim report that far sharper focus needs to be applied to employment, skills and enterprise in Local Area Agreements.