Social Enterprise Policy in the United Kingdom 2006-2016: A critical analysis of the political, economic and social context

Social enterprise is an important policy instrument. This study addresses how the context of social enterprise shaped policy agendas and developments in political, economic and social circumstances in the United Kingdom from 2006 to 2016. Containing a detailed examination of the policy documents and parliamentary debates, the thesis examines how social enterprise was utilised in the policy agenda. The research is based on document analysis. The data included Hansard transcripts, government policy documents, and documents published by the social enterprise sector. Three social enterprise policy themes are presented: ‘community empowerment’, ‘social investment’, and ‘partnership’. The purpose of this is to address political pressures, economic circumstances and social issues for the above-mentioned 10-year period. Findings from each strand are identified and classified. From political debates, there were framings of social enterprise in social economy and civil society; support for social enterprise by enacting legislation and funding; and application of social enterprise into health care and disability employment. With regard to the economic context, supporting social enterprise has been categorised in order to regenerate the local economy and improve the business environment. In terms of the social context, partnership, trust and social outsourcing are brought to the fore of the social enterprise policy. These themes clarified social enterprise emergence and the three contexts. This research contributes to understanding social enterprise in the policy system. Practically speaking, this thesis provides specific examples of policy implementation in relation to social enterprises.