Nick Clegg becomes the latest party leader to sign up to the Social Enterprise Charter

Nick Clegg has today become the latest MP to sign the Social Enterprise Charter 2010, adding his name to a growing list that includes Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat politicians.

Confirming his support Nick Clegg said: “I’m delighted to be able to support this initiative. Social enterprises make an enormous contribution to our prosperity and our society.

"Social enterprise is a shining example that good business sense and social responsibility can go hand in hand and I wish the sector every success in future.”

The Social Enterprise Charter was drawn up by the Social Enterprise Coalition and calls for MPs and parliamentary candidates to demonstrate their support for social enterprises in recognition of the fact that social enterprises are:

• transforming the communities we live in;

• flying the flag for ethical capitalism; and

• helping to rebuild the UK economy as we emerge from recession.

David Cameron MP, Leader of the Conservative Party, and Caroline Lucas, Leader of the Green Party, have both added their names to the Charter in the last fortnight and the number of signatories currently stands at 23.

Other MPs signed up to so far include: Liam Byrne MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury; Philip Hammond MP, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury; Francis Maude, Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office and Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; Ian Austin MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government; Minister for the West Midlands; Norman Lamb MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Lord Kirkwood, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson
for Work and Pensions.

The Charter is part of the Social Enterprise Coalition’s 2010 election campaign which includes the manifesto “No More Business as Usual,” released on March 16th.

The manifesto calls for social enterprise to triple its contribution to the economy by 2020 and sets out policy recommendations including:

• Support for development of social enterprise models across public sector agencies
• The introduction of legislation to help communities to buy and manage local assets
• A strong and clear package of tax incentives to encourage social investment
• Support for more locally tailored employment practices to build on the work of the Future Jobs Fund
• Routine collection of representative data on the social enterprise movement

Peter Holbrook, chief executive of the Social Enterprise Coalition said: “Social enterprises are at the heart at some of the most important debates that surround this election – public services, the future of business and the way towards a sustainable environment. We’re pleased by the support offered across all parties and challenge many more MPs and parliamentary candidates to show their support for social enterprise.”

To view the full list of politicians signed up to the Social Enterprise Charter visit the Social Enterprise Coalition website - http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/data/files/Policy/charter_signatories...