Half of Brits want businesses to have to report on their social and environmental impact
Green business news – by Thomas McMullan
11th September 2014
More than half of Britons want to see businesses legally obliged to report on the on the positive and negative impact they have on society or the communities in which they operate, results of a nationwide survey released today reveal.
Of the 2,070 British consumers asked about their attitude towards the behaviour of businesses, 73 per cent said they would think twice before buying from a business that causes damage to the environment, while 53 per cent said businesses should be legally obliged to report on their social and environmental performance.
“Ashamed”
“Ashamed”
The results revealed today by the national body for social enterprise, Social Enterprise UK, and the Cabinet Office expose a strong sense of value attached to socially responsible business, with over a third of people saying they felt ashamed when buying from companies that cause damage to communities or the environment.
“Every product and service you buy has a social or environmental impact, so why not make it a good one?” said Peter Holbrook, chief executive of Social Enterprise UK, in response to today’s results. “The UK’s social enterprise sector is growing fast because consumers care about how their spending decisions affect the world they live in.”
15 per cent of SMEs
“Every product and service you buy has a social or environmental impact, so why not make it a good one?” said Peter Holbrook, chief executive of Social Enterprise UK, in response to today’s results. “The UK’s social enterprise sector is growing fast because consumers care about how their spending decisions affect the world they live in.”
15 per cent of SMEs
The UK’s social enterprise sector is reportedly the world’s largest. The Government estimates that there are now 180,000 social enterprises in the UK, 15 per cent of the country’s small to medium-sized enterprises, employing more than two million people and contributing billions to the economy.
“A staggering 82 per cent of social enterprises reinvest their profits locally,” said Brooks Newmark, Minister for Civil Society. “There is clearly a demand for people to buy social and there are now more ways than ever for people to invest socially as well”.
Despite the growth in social enterprises, 40 per cent of those surveyed said they didn’t feel there are enough socially responsible businesses to buy from in the UK.
Social Saturday
For more information on social enterprises and what is being done this weekend on Social Saturday, visit http://socialsaturday.org.uk.
While the result of the survey showed strong support for green businesses, they also indicated a generational gap in outlook, with 83 per cent of people aged over 60 saying they wouldn’t buy from businesses that cause damage to the environment compared to 62 per cent of people aged 18-24.
In addition to environmental issues, taxes and paying employees a liveable wage were also highlighted as leading issues for consumers. 74 per cent said they are less likely to buy a product or service from a business paying below the minimum wage, and 65 per cent said they are more likely to buy a product or service from a business that pays its correct taxes.
In addition to environmental issues, taxes and paying employees a liveable wage were also highlighted as leading issues for consumers. 74 per cent said they are less likely to buy a product or service from a business paying below the minimum wage, and 65 per cent said they are more likely to buy a product or service from a business that pays its correct taxes.
Again, the latter figure showed a generation gap, with 80 per cent of those aged over 60 agreeing compared to 48 per cent of those aged 18-24.
Social Saturday
September 13 will see the UK’s first Social Saturday, a day to raise awareness of enterprises that have a positive impact on communities and the environment.
Social enterprises around the country are opening their doors and hosting events to encourage the public to ‘buy social’. One of those is Brigade, a training restaurant in London helping homeless people into work.
“In three years we have helped more than 530 homeless people and directly employed 70 apprentices here at Brigade. Others have gone on to jobs with restaurants including The Savoy,” said Simon Boyle, chef founder at Brigade Bar & Bistro.
Social Saturday is being supported by a number of well-known brands, including The Big Issue, Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen, Co-operative Energy, Pants to Poverty, Divine Chocolate and Belu Water.
For more information on social enterprises and what is being done this weekend on Social Saturday, visit http://socialsaturday.org.uk.
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