MPs launch UK's first Social Saturday to raise awareness of the social enterprise movement

A day dedicated to raise awareness of the UK’s 70,000 social enterprises has been announced.

At a launch event in the House of Commons, the UK’s first Social Saturday has been designated as 13 September – a day designed to boost the number of consumers buying from businesses that reinvest their profits for good.

It is being led by Social Enterprise UK with cross party political support and is part of the UK’s successful Buy Social campaign which is now in its second year, and has already been licensed for use in Australia and Canada, with licenses pending for China and the US.

What we all want to see are businesses acting as a force for good, creating jobs and helping build a stronger, more sustainable economy - Jo Swinson

UK business minister Jo Swinson said: “Social enterprises across the country bring huge benefits to their local communities, their employees and the environment.

“What we all want to see are businesses acting as a force for good, creating jobs and helping build a stronger, more sustainable economy.

“Social enterprises take this a step further by reinvesting their profits for the good of society.”

The Social Saturday website showcases 50 social enterprises and a map showing events taking place across the UK.

Local councils are being invited to get involved and help rally groups and communities.

Peter Holbrook, chief executive of Social Enterprise UK, said: “The Buy Social campaign has one simple aim – to get people making purchases with social enterprises.

"The UK’s social enterprise movement is growing fast because people do care about how their spending affects the wider world.

"Buy Social is about giving them the opportunity to identify the businesses that will help them change the world for good.”