Ethical supply chain spending by big business creates nearly 8,000 jobs
Corporate spending on goods and services supplied by businesses with a social or environmental purpose has now created nearly 8,000 jobs, according to a new report.
The Buy Social Corporate Challenge, a group of 36 high-profile businesses including insurance group AXA, real estate giant CBRE and global technology Siemens, is aiming to collectively spend £1 billion with social enterprises through their supply chains. The total so far is £864m.
More than 2,500 social enterprises have supplied services ranging from healthcare and facilities management to IT and catering. Many of the jobs created by these contracts have gone to people who faced barriers in finding work, including those who have a disability, have experienced homelessness, or been through the justice system.
The Buy Social Corporate Challenge is a pioneering initiative led by national sector body Social Enterprise UK. It was launched in partnership with the UK Government in 2016.
“We’re hearing a lot in the news currently about the number of people out of work. Social enterprises have expertise in delivering the goods and services that private sector clients need while also supporting those most in need of a job into employment,” said Andy Daly, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Social Enterprise UK.
“As well as proving that it’s easy for big business to have a positive social impact, 65% of the Buy Social Corporate Challenge partners also told us that working with social enterprise suppliers has helped them win new business.”
Surveyed corporate partners also reported that sourcing from social enterprises supported their values and purpose, brought innovation into their supply chain and improved their environmental sustainability.
Companies and social enterprises interested in joining the Buy Social Corporate Challenge can contact socialprocurement@socialenterprise.org.u
To read the report (which includes case studies of the people the work has helped) and find out more, visit Buy-Social-Corporate-Challenge-Year-10-Report.pdf
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