ABSTRACT
In the UK, the Big Society is the Coalition Government’s attempt to provide a distinct alternative to years of New Labour big government, which was criticized by the Conservatives for attempting to regulate every part of people’s lives and removing their capacity for self-improvement and democratic control. A new localism based on the Localism Act 2011, aims to re-empower local communities in England to take greater responsibility for libraries, schools and even land use planning. Central to this agenda will be the development of social enterprises capable of delivering public services, winning government contracts and being rewarded by meeting targets and delivering results. The chapter highlights the different and even contradictory purposes of social enterprises in flanking privatization; and equally their capacity to resist market solutions and help communities to develop a range of ‘capitals’. The chapter argues that for social economy-led urban regeneration to be effective an integrated approach to non-monetized trading, enterprise development and community asset transfer on a locality basis is required. There is also a need to strengthen the enabling environment, especially in the development of dedicated social finance and investment readiness across the community and voluntary sector.
