Written question asked by Eric Martlew (Labour) on Thursday, 21 May 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 June 2009. It was answered by John Healey (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 June 2009 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Community-Based Enterprises

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues on the role of community-based enterprises in the future jobs fund.

Answer: Social Enterprises can tackle worklessness by creating sustainable jobs for people who find it difficult to enter the labour market and increasing enterprise levels among women, under-represented groups and young people.On 13 May my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State chaired a seminar attended by the Prime Minister; the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; the Minister for the Cabinet Office and myself. Also attending were leading social entrepreneurs and social enterprise practitioners.We challenged the community and social enterprise sector to take up the opportunities and the challenge that the Future Job Fund offers. We want to see social enterprises creating as many jobs as they can through the Future Jobs Fund; perhaps up to 10 per cent. of the 150,000 envisaged through the fund.On 12 May the Secretary of State attended a Social Enterprise summit at Coin Street Community Builders along with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Regulatory Reform; and the Minister for the Cabinet Office.A summary of the discussion at the summit is available on the Cabinet Office website:"www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/210555/summit_report.pdf"

Secondary information