Social Enterprise Scotland (SES) have been carrying out extensive consultation with their members on the impact the 
Cost-of-Living Crisis is having on social enterprise – through members’ network meetings, a recent survey to gather intelligence, a Cross-Party Group for Social Enterprise and additional conversations with members.
They have listened to what has been shared and heard the extreme difficulties many are currently encountering, as they attempt to recover from the impact of the pandemic. Faced with unavoidable and spiralling costs, reduced income in many cases, at a time when the demand for social enterprise’s support and services – often to our most vulnerable individuals and communities, and our planet – is increasing at an alarming rate.
And like the pandemic, it’s the people who experience poverty and disadvantage in society that are most adversely affected by the cost of living crisis.
SES have listened and as part of their role as the single intermediary, they are advocating on behalf of all social enterprises. They recently wrote a letter to the Scottish Government – the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government along with Ministers with an interest in the Economy within their portfolios.
SES are requesting urgent action – in the form of a support fund – to allow social enterprises to trade through this critical time and to support the invaluable work that they do. SES have also been working with partners to ensure the fund management and distribution can be mobilised immediately and is underpinned by a targeted and effective package to fully support the social enterprise sector.
Social enterprises are encouraged to also write to their local elected officials, they need the local evidence and data to help them make informed choices and ensure the investment gets to those who need it the most. To find your local politician’s address, click here.