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Last updated: 23 November 2008
The nine English Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) have agreed to give social enterprise a real voice in how they receive local business support. All RDAs will now measure and report levels of satisfaction among social enterprise using Business Link services.
The agreement has been reached between the RDAs, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office, building on the success of the Social Enterprise Action Plan published in November 2006.
Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, said:
“This is a significant step. The Government is working closely with the Regional Development Agencies to ensure that the business support system provides the services that social enterprises need. The data being collected by RDAs will help us to determine where we are being successful and how much more needs to be done.
“I applaud BERR and the RDAs for their recognition of the importance of social enterprise in our society, working closely with the Office of the Third Sector to help create the environment for a thriving third sector. “
Pat McFadden, BERR Minister with responsibility for strengthening regional economies, said:
“I welcome this development. It shows an ongoing commitment to supporting social enterprises by the RDAs following their commitments in the Social Enterprise Action Plan.”
James Brathwaite, Chairman of the South East England Development Agency, speaking on behalf of the RDAs, said:
“RDAs are committed to support Social Enterprises. The new customer satisfaction survey methodology introduced on the 1st of April 2008 is focused on obtaining feedback on the different aspects of Business Link service. Measuring the experience of social enterprises, and showing this as an identifiable category, will provide valuable feedback and help us improve services to this important business sector.”