Campaign Collective has submitted evidence to the government consultation on the use of social value in central government procurement.
The response states:
We welcome the government’s renewed focus on social value because we need to do more to ensure that taxpayers’ money delivers a better society and a sustainable planet.
There are many frameworks already in existence where social impact is given scant regard. This needs to change and there must be a cultural shift within government at its widest level to embrace social impact through its suppliers.
Greater use of social value should also encourage more spending with social enterprises. Social enterprises, like ours, are businesses which have a primary social and environmental mission. We create social value through our business by helping small charities get their voice heard and supporting the next generation of campaigners.
The Collective response recommends that any framework created is seen as a minimum for central government, but also that it doesn’t repeat initiatives already underway.
For example, in the marketing and communications industry, there has already been work conducted on how the agencies can measure social impact. This was led by a group of experts from the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA).
Marketing / communications procurement could use the PRCA assessment tool as part of its procurement – for example giving an automatic fail on those suppliers who do not score “four stars” or above.
The Collective also supports Social Enterprise UK’s response to the consultation, in particular the suggestions for improvement:
- Increasing the minimum weighting of social value from 10% to 20% in line with best practice from local government.
- The government must communicate clearly the status of this framework in collaboration with representative bodies and key stakeholders, such as the LGA, CBI and NHS England.
- All government departments should publish Social Value Impact of its supply chain.