Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Jeremy Lefroy Excerpts
Wednesday 25th June 2014

(10 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nick Hurd Portrait Mr Hurd
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Yes, because young people want them. This summer the 100,000th young person will take part in NCS; 98% of young people would recommend it to their friends. There is a fantastic buzz around it because young people recognise that it is a fantastic use of their time and they get so much out of it.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con)
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8. What recent progress his Department has made on supporting social enterprises.

Nick Hurd Portrait The Minister for Civil Society (Mr Nick Hurd)
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We are doing a great deal to support the growth of social enterprises. We are making it easier for them to access finance through social investment and to deliver public services through the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, and through a wide range of capacity-building support.

Jeremy Lefroy Portrait Jeremy Lefroy
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Will my right hon. Friend update the House on the progress of Big Society Capital, in particular the provision of capital to smaller, local community social enterprises, which may need thousands or tens of thousands rather than millions?

Nick Hurd Portrait Mr Hurd
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Big Society Capital is the first institution of its kind in the world and I am delighted to say that it is working very well. Its recent annual report shows that it has already made £150 million of new money available to social enterprises through 31 different investments.