Jane Wood, Director of Scottish Business in the Community, talks about the role of businesses in reducing inequality. Stephen Boyd, Assistant Secretary of the Scottish Trade Unions Congress, talks about how the Scottish economy works. The Whose Economy? seminars, organised by Oxfam Scotland and the University of the West of Scotland, brought together experts to look at recent changes in the Scottish economy and their impact on Scotland's most vulnerable communities. Held over winter and spring 2010-11 in Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow and Stirling, the series posed the question of what economy is being created in Scotland and, specifically, for whom? To find out more and view other Whose Economy? papers, presentations and videos visit: http://www.oxfamblogs.org/ukpovertypost/whose-economy-seminar-series-winter-2010-spring-2011/

1. Jane Wood
Chief Executive, Scottish Business in the Community
Role of business in reducing poverty

2. The need to change our model of
economic development is undeniable
Pressure on businesses to:
• Move towards sustainable business model
• Engage with communities
• Help people become economically active

3. TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE
Society Environment
Economy

4. Transforming the model
Environment
Society Economy
• Ethical initiatives
»
• Ethical Business

5. The role of business
Recent research by Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows that between 2008/2009
over 100,000 people in the labour market in Scotland are still living below the
poverty line.
Business must address ‘in work poverty’
issues of:
•Low pay
•Poor progression (skills development)
•The work/ benefits balance
•Flexible working

6. Community investment
• Business as a driver of growth and jobs.
• The private sector must embed
community investment into
mainstream business practice.

7. Business based community
investment
•Addressing key social issues relating to business
•Supporting economic growth in local areas, particularly in
disadvantaged areas.
•Inspiring, training and employing people from excluded
groups.
•Developing and motivating employee through community
based volunteering.

8. Business in Scotland
SMEs represent 99% of all enterprises and 53% of
all employment in Scotland.
• Support to build the capacity of SMEs.
• Smaller organisations require support to transform to more
sustainable business models

9. Overcoming barriers
through partnership
Collaboration on issues such as wealth
creation and distribution is vital to create
true sustainable development.

10. To view all the papers in the Whose
Economy series click here
To view all the videos and presentations
from the seminars click here