Local Government

The phrase ‘reinventing the wheel’ used to be a banker for anyone playing Conference Bingo on the regeneration events circuit. Along with the truly awful ‘blue sky thinking’ it was guaranteed to crop up at some point, usually in relation to the need to share learning and therefore avoid the aforementioned activity.

Finally, after numerous announcements and fanfares, the Big Society bank, or Big Society Capital as it is now called, was launched today by the prime minister. The story the government would like people to hear is that this is wonderful news for charities, social enterprises and the public at large. As charities Minister Nick Hurd tweeted “£600 million to back social entrepreneurs and encourage more social investment. At no cost to taxpayer.”