The newly launched RBS SE1001 Data Report will reveal the first year of results from the first ever index tracking the growth of social businesses in the UK.

The report shows that social enterprises in the community enterprise sector (including trusts and transport) recorded the sixth highest average growth of 30.72 per cent3, out of the eight sectors on the SE100 Index (the highest was the environment, recycling and renewables sector with an average growth of 49.73 per cent).

However, the sector was third highest in terms of turnover, with an average turnover of £3,207,590 (the highest was health and social care with an average turnover of £4,240,991).

The social enterprise in the community enterprise sector with the highest growth was The National Community Wood Recycling Project (NCWRP), which recorded an average growth of 750.87 per cent.

The second highest was The Phoenix Business Academy with an average growth of 374.10%.

350 social businesses across the UK, representing a total annual turnover of £812 million, voluntarily submitted company information for the RBS SE100 index.

Of those, 126 organisations were involved in community enterprise (including trusts and transport), with a combined turnover of £309,477,324.

Nick Hurd, minister for Civil Society, said: "The RBS SE100 is a hugely important tool for proving the success and potential of social enterprise. Already it shows phenomenal growth which will boost confidence in the sector and open doors to private finance.

"The Government has a powerful vision for a 'Big Society' in which we all must contribute to the common good. Social enterprises will have a greater role to play in the future and we are committed to supporting them through initiatives like the Big Society Bank which will further improve finance options."

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