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The UK’s social enterprises – businesses trading for social or environmental purposes – bucked the recent recession, a report has said.

A recent report that compiled data from 350 social enterprises in the UK has said that turnover at 100 of the largest social enterprises in the country grew an average 79% in the year to March.

The report, conducted by the business information service, Social Enterprise together with the Royal Bank of Scotland, shows that firms in south-east England saw the biggest growth, up 56%, while the East Midlands was the worst performing, with growth of only 15%.

Examples of social enterprises include the Big Issue, Jamie Oliver’s restaurant Fifteen, and the fair-trade chocolate company, Divine Chocolate.

Firms in the environment, recycling and renewables industry reported the highest growth rates.

The report was used to form an index tracking the growth of the 100 top social businesses in the UK, the RBS SE100, which will help to show the potential for success of social enterprise.