New social value guidance for commissioners published

The Government has published PPN026, the new guidance on social value for commissioners. Did your recommendations change their thinking? With nearly a million young people aged 16-24 not in employment, education or training (NEET), the government’s decision to reward contractors for jobs and skills creation is, to some extent, understandable. But as is so often … Continued

Social enterprises stand up for social value

Survey respondents give strong backing for government supply chain diversity and reserving contracts below £1m for VCSEs and SMEs. Social enterprises also think the new definition of social value is too narrow. When we first published our response to the government’s social value changes in August, we received a lot of feedback on social media, … Continued

The rules are there – so why aren’t councils using them?

Social enterprises, local authority councillors, corporate supporters and legal experts recently met with MPs to discuss why existing procurement legislation is failing to deliver the social value it promises – and what needs to change. Why are local authorities not making greater use of the powers they already have to procure from voluntary, community and … Continued

Social Value Leaders’ Summit 2026

The Social Value Leaders’ Summit has become an agenda-setting event for policymakers, commissioners, business leaders, social enterprises, charities and social value practitioners who wish to see a procurement system which delivers better public services, better value for taxpayers, and better social and environmental outcomes for the country. Last year’s Summit took place just after the … Continued

Rethinking children’s services: MPs hear case for mission-led providers

To reduce the severe pressure facing children’s services, the government must find alternatives to private equity profiteering, reform procurement for public benefit, and support partnerships between local authorities and social enterprises and cooperatives, MPs were told last week. Speaking at the first roundtable of the Social, Cooperative and Community Economy All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on … Continued

RIFT Social Enterprise

RIFT Social Enterprise is a Community Interest Company (CIC) that delivers self-employment services across the UK, with its main focus being on a 12-month one-to-one support for people interested in working for themselves. Its vision is to be the leading provider of self-employment support for marginalised people, and its mission is to empower participants to … Continued

Social Value Leaders’ Summit 2025

Towards mission-driven procurement systems Our Social Value Leaders’ Summit on Wednesday 26 March in central London, brings together senior leaders and decision-makers from across the public, private and social enterprise sectors to discuss, debate and shape the future of social value. With the Procurement Act now live and the new National Procurement Statement (NPPS) giving social value … Continued