A bill making its way through the UK parliament will obligate public sector purchasers to consider ‘social value’ in awarding contracts. The Public Services (Social Value) Bill, which is due to proceed to the House of Lords, will force “public authorities to have regard to economic, social and environmental well-being in connection with public services contracts”. The requirement that buyers consider factors “over and above the direct purchase of goods and services” would be a significant advance on current rules, which make procurement a matter of best value for the state, though bodies like the National Health Service have long gone beyond such requirements.
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