The venture capital arm of the Big Issue – a self-styled “social merchant bank” – has taken a leap forward with a £4m contribution towards its latest £10m fund from HSBC.

Big Issue Invest, which directs funding to socially responsible businesses, now has total committed capital of £8m, with Deutsche Bank also among the fund’s backers, alongside more traditional supporters.

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Kasabian - Babies, Drugs and Ronnie the Rocket

In our festival special, rock behemoth Serge from Kasabian talks revolution, the royals, drugs, being a new parent, and his pals Noel Gallagher and Ronnie O’ Sullivan... Also in this week's bumper 64-page Big Issue... Elbow’s Guy Garvey on sending his music into space, Bestival’s Rob Da Bank on festivals in times of austerity, Grimes on jewellery, and all your festival listings... If Scottish independence happens, what will the break-up of Britain mean for broadcasting and the BBC?  It's the Big Issue’s 1000th edition in England. Publishing heavyweight James Brown pays tribute to the force of nature that is The Big Issue, and founder John Bird looks at the organisation's past, present and future...  Plus, Julia Bradbury on motherhood, the wisdom of Phil Davis, Hattie Ellis talks the best diets, the week's cultural highlights in your area, Street Lights, lots of competitions and much more!

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