Siân Berry, Green candidate for Mayor of London, has officially endorsed a new Charter which supports social enterprises in the capital.

The Charter, produced by Social Enterprise London, makes several recommendations including an increase in the strategic role for the delivery of public services by social enterprises, and the support of approaches to secure wider social and environmental benefits from government procurement processes.

Berry is the first candidate to endorse the Charter, saying that she “wholeheartedly” supported the growth of social enterprises in London. “We need to recognise the enormous value that [social enterprises] add as they trade, and increase the opportunities that they have to deliver services to London,” she added.

The Charter has also received public support from former chair of the Social Enterprise Coalition Baroness Glenys Thornton, who called on the remaining mayoral candidates to endorse it as well. “There is widespread support for an increase in the number of businesses that trade with a social purpose,” she said. “It’s time we had a coordinated approach to their support and funding. I invite you to sign the charter and help shape the future of London.”