The Social Investment Business response to the Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg’s speech

Monday 20 September 

Responding to the Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg’s speech to his party’s conference in Liverpool this afternoon, The Social Investment Business chief executive Jonathan Lewis said:

“Nick Clegg reaffirmed his commitment to devolving more decisions and spending power to local government level, presenting real possibilities for civil society organisations across the country to play an increasingly active role in public life in their areas.

“At this local level we know there are many more community organisations – charities, social enterprises and co-operatives – who are keen to get more involved in shaping and delivering the services their local communities need. And most importantly for cash-strapped council leaders, this often results in those services being more cost-effective.

“The time is right for civil society groups to organise, to pool resources and expertise, and bid together for local government contracts which they would be unable to win and deliver alone. By doing so they’d access a vital source of finance for themselves while at the same time empowering local authorities to meet the national government’s call for them to take charge of delivering more for less in their neighbourhoods.”

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1. For further information or interviews, please contact The Social Investment Business press office:

Liz Banks - 0207 842 7726/ 07809 504072  liz.banks@socialinvestmentbusiness.org

Nicola Jones - 0207 842 7755 nicola.jones@socialinvestmentbusiness.org

2. The Social Investment Business, the fastest growing social investor in the UK, exists to help social enterprises, charities and community organisations do more of what they do best – supporting people and communities most in need. We help organisations prosper by providing innovative financial solutions, business support and long term strategic thinking.

www.thesocialinvestmentbusiness.org @TheSocialInvest

3. The Social Investment Business manages Government funds on behalf of the Office for Civil Society, the Department of Health and the Department for Communities and Local Government, with over 1,000 active investments. These range from £3,600 to help a small organisation bid successfully for a public sector contract, to £6.7million to help a large national charity establish and develop innovative new services for children and young people.