This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6933688.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Tory social enterprise zone plan | Tory social enterprise zone plan |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| The Conservatives are to set out plans for tax breaks to encourage investment and fight poverty in run-down areas. | |
| Charities spokesman Greg Clark told the BBC the Tories want "social enterprise zones" to attract not-for-profit firms to aid communities. | |
| A Community Bank would channel funds for projects and allocate tax relief, the party will say in a policy taskforce report. | |
| Labour said the plans were "uncosted" and could lead to more privatization. | Labour said the plans were "uncosted" and could lead to more privatization. |
| Conservative leader David Cameron believes economic "enterprise zones" set up by Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s offer a useful model for a new style of community regeneration. | Conservative leader David Cameron believes economic "enterprise zones" set up by Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s offer a useful model for a new style of community regeneration. |
| If people or institutions have capital to invest, think about investing it in organisations that have a social purpose Greg ClarkConservative charities spokesman | |
| Mr Cameron has already said social enterprise zones are the key to regenerating the poorest areas by encouraging the development of community-focussed organisations like chef Jamie Oliver's Fifteen group of restaurants. | Mr Cameron has already said social enterprise zones are the key to regenerating the poorest areas by encouraging the development of community-focussed organisations like chef Jamie Oliver's Fifteen group of restaurants. |
| The report, to be published on Tuesday, takes the process a step further by suggesting tax incentives for companies which reinvest their profits for the benefit of the local people they help and employ. | The report, to be published on Tuesday, takes the process a step further by suggesting tax incentives for companies which reinvest their profits for the benefit of the local people they help and employ. |
| Planning guidance should also be streamlined to recognise the benefits the companies offer to communities, it says. | Planning guidance should also be streamlined to recognise the benefits the companies offer to communities, it says. |
| Investments needed | Investments needed |
| The recommendations do not automatically become party policy but they will be given a warm welcome by Mr Cameron. | The recommendations do not automatically become party policy but they will be given a warm welcome by Mr Cameron. |
| Mr Clark told BBC's Westminster Hour: "What the organisations need as well as donations is actually some capital to expand their premises, to invest in working capital. "So as well as asking people to give money to charities, which is something that's very important, we also want to say if people or institutions have capital to invest, think about investing it in organisations that have a social purpose, and we will look to back that with tax breaks." | |
| Existing measures | Existing measures |
| He said Labour efforts to encourage social enterprise were being choked by red tape. | He said Labour efforts to encourage social enterprise were being choked by red tape. |
| "The government may have the right ideas on this, but their delivery is weak. They have come up with a lot of initiatives, which tend to overlap each other. | "The government may have the right ideas on this, but their delivery is weak. They have come up with a lot of initiatives, which tend to overlap each other. |
| "What social enterprises and charities of all kinds tell us is that they are completely tied up in the paperwork and when they do access funds from central government, it comes with so much paperwork and conditions attached that often they drown in it." | "What social enterprises and charities of all kinds tell us is that they are completely tied up in the paperwork and when they do access funds from central government, it comes with so much paperwork and conditions attached that often they drown in it." |
| The social enterprise sector consists of about 55,000 companies, such as Cafedirect and the Big Issue, which reinvest profits to achieve social goals. They have a combined turnover of £27bn. | The social enterprise sector consists of about 55,000 companies, such as Cafedirect and the Big Issue, which reinvest profits to achieve social goals. They have a combined turnover of £27bn. |
| Charities minister Phil Hope said the government already offered help to social enterprises but Tory councils were reluctant to encourage them. | Charities minister Phil Hope said the government already offered help to social enterprises but Tory councils were reluctant to encourage them. |
| "There are many local Conservative authorities who have been given guidance from government about the relationship between third sector organisations like social enterprises and local authorities, and been given guidance on three-year funding regimes and being able to claim the full cost of the contracts that they engage in. | "There are many local Conservative authorities who have been given guidance from government about the relationship between third sector organisations like social enterprises and local authorities, and been given guidance on three-year funding regimes and being able to claim the full cost of the contracts that they engage in. |
| "If those local Conservative councils were to do some of the things we have advised them and given them guidance on now, I think we would see a much greater flourishing of these organisations in these areas." | "If those local Conservative councils were to do some of the things we have advised them and given them guidance on now, I think we would see a much greater flourishing of these organisations in these areas." |