Public Interest Companies
As part of its attempt to introduce greater diversity into the public service sector, from 2002, the UK government began to encourage social enterprises and non-profits to become more involved. This has included the establishment of more flexible forms of public enterprises (such as foundation hospitals), new forms of community interest companies, and public-private social enterprises.
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A Survey of Social Enterprises Across the UK (PDF) IFF Research Ltd, 2005 This report details findings from a survey of Social Enterprises across the UK. The Survey focuses on those social enterprises which are registered as Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLG) or Industrial & Provident Societies (IPS). Around 15,000 social enterprises in the UK registered as Companies Limited by Guarantee (88%) or Industrial & Provident Societies (12%). In terms of the overall business population, this means that these social enterprises account for around 1.2 per cent of all enterprises in the UK. UK
Community Interest Companies: An Introduction to Community Interest Companies (PDF) Department of Trade and Industry, 2004 A government report summarising the principal characteristics of the Community Interest Companies (CIC) and promoting their creation in the UK. The fact sheet is designed to illustrate the main advantages that a company can get from becoming a CIC as well as underlining some requirements it must fulfil in order to do so. UK
Enterprise for Communities: Proposals for a Community Interest Company (PDF) Department of Trade and Industry, 2003 The Public consultation paper invites views on proposals for a new type of company, the Comunity Interest Company (CIC). The Government intends to bring forward legislation to make these proposals part of company law. UK
Public Interest Companies; Fad or Permanent Fixture? (PDF)
Maltby, Paul, 2003
Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)
An essay illustrating the principal benefits and risks that Public Interest Companies (PIC) may have for the delivery of public services, additionally the paper discusses the context surrounding PICs as well as their historical roots and possible future.
Private Action, Public Benefit: A Review of Charities and the Wider Not-For-Profit Sector (PDF) Cabinet Office Strategy Unit Report, 2002 A consultation paper containing a series of reform proposals in order to enhance the capabilities of the non-profit and charity organizations, the paper makes specific suggestions to both government and non profit organizations. UK
Public Interest Companies and Risk (PDF)
Gibson-Smith, Christopher S, National Air Traffic Services Limited, 2002
Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)

