Nick Hurd MP, the Shadow Minister for Charities, Social Enterprise and Volunteering, has said that there are “very strong” distinctions between social enterprises and charities.

Speaking at the Social Enterprise Conference in London, Hurd said that grouping charities and social enterprises together is not always helpful. He suggested that, for social enterprise to get what it needs from government, the Conservative party might review Government policy that groups social enterprise with the voluntary sector.

Hurd requested that frontline social enterprises and social enterprise advocacy bodies communicate: what support works, and what does not, for social enterprise; read and respond to the Conservative party green paper, ‘A Stronger Society: Voluntary Action in the 21st Century’; and work with Conservative local authorities.

Allison Ogden-Newton, chief executive of Social Enterprise London, said, “I was delighted to hear Mr Hurd emphasise the Conservative party’s support for social enterprise, and welcome his commitment to working with us.”