British Gas has invested £5m into the Social Business Trust, a charity which provides finance and business support to social enterprises which create employment and skills opportunities.

Along with the £5m investment, British Gas will provided business support to social enterprises through its staff.

Phil Bentley, managing director of British Gas, said: “This partnership with Social Business Trust is one of a series of initiatives we are working on to help reverse the tide of the jobless generation. It will also have a positive effect on our 35,000 employees – many will have the rewarding opportunity of sharing their own relevant business expertises with organisations who deliver a real social impact.”

British Gas is the first household brand to join forces with Social Business Trust and will co-invest with six existing corporate partners: Bain & Co, Clifford Chance, Ernst & Young, Permira and Thomson Reuters.

The Social Business Trust was founded in 2010, and to date, has invested in six social enterprises, including Bikeworks and the Challenge Network.