The State of Social Enterprise Report 2025 is available now

In total, nearly 2,000 businesses took part in the survey, providing a comprehensive look into how social enterprises are faring financially, the issues they are set up to address, who they employ, where they work, and the main challenges they face.

This year's report, titled 'Backbone of Britain' shows a movement of businesses continuing to deliver for communities against the odds.

Social enterprises are addressing the big challenges of our time, supporting vulnerable groups, creating jobs and opportunities, driving growth at a local level, addressing the mental health of the nation, and taking on the climate emergency.

They are more diverse than mainstream businesses, and are also continuing to innovate, with 50% having introduced a new product or service over the last year, and 35% bringing something totally new to the market.

However, the findings show how the challenging economic climate has prevented social enterprises from doing more. Compared to previous years, turnover and profitability are down; there's worry around cash flow and taxation, and many businesses are still finding it too difficult to access the finance they need.

The data in this report gives us the evidence to better fight on behalf of social enterprises - to make sure they're not overlooked by government, that they get access to the funding they need, and that the transformative potential of the sector to create inclusive growth is realised

We all have a role to play in helping social enterprises to thrive - through growing markets for them, helping them access funding and bringing them into our networks. Let's use the findings from SOSE to push for change and place social enterprise at the heart of how we do business.