Finance

The Ulster Community Investment Trust is plugging the gap as government retreats and banks withdraw finance. Trudi Dunbar explains

The social economy in Northern Ireland is an increasingly well-established and diverse sector operating in almost every industry, from health and social care to renewable energy. Social enterprises often work in communities where unemployment is two or three times the national average and they are important drivers in creating opportunities and training for those who are often the most marginalised and disadvantaged in society.

Minister for Local Government Rishi Sunak has backed efforts from regeneration firm U+I to improve the damaged reputation of public-private partnership (PPP) schemes – a fortnight after the Chancellor renewed the Government’s commitment to the model in his Autumn budget.