The Social Value Act requires the public sector to maximise economic, social and environmental benefits for local communities when procuring services.
What is social value?
Social value in procurement is about making sure that what we buy creates an overall positive impact on our people and communities. It can be divided into three main areas:
- social: improving the wellbeing of individuals and communities, encouraging interconnectedness and mutual support among people
- economic: promoting economic policies and business practices that uplift society’s wellbeing
- environmental: encouraging sustainable processes that take care of the social and physical environment, ensuring a viable future for everyone
Find out more about social value in procurement.
On many of our agreements suppliers are ready to help you meet social value objectives, such as fighting climate change or tackling inequality, making it easier for you to take account of the latest public procurement policies.
Charlene Maginnis
Head of Policy Delivery, Supply Chain and Service Offering
Webinar: Achieving social value through public sector procurement
Learn from our social value team as they discuss:
- the implications of the Social Value Act on public sector buyers
- the growing demand for social value through contracts
- using every opportunity to bring about additional benefits that improve the wellbeing and lives of our citizens
Your social value questions answered
Social value in procurement is about ensuring that public spending generates additional economic, social and environmental benefits beyond just the goods or services being procured.
Since The Social Value Act came into force on 31 January 2013, it is mandatory for public sector buyers to think about whether the services they are going to buy, or the way they are going to buy them, could secure social, economic, or environmental benefits for their area or stakeholders.
A number of public sector organisations, including Cabinet Office and devolved governments, have introduced policies requiring the application of social value in procurement.
See the latest social value policy notes for more information.
We work closely with organisations such as:
- the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI)
- National Social Value Taskforce
- Electronics Watch
- the government’s Sustainable Technology Advice and Reporting (STAR) working group
- Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 06/21: taking account of social value in the award of central government contracts, this PPN shares a new model to achieve social value through the government’s commercial activities
- PPN 002: taking account of social value in the award of contracts, the social value model was updated in February 2025, and will be implemented in contracts by October 2025
- Wales and the Sustainable Development Goals
- Scottish Procurement Policy Notes (SPPNs)
- Northern Ireland PPN 01/21 – Scoring Social Value
- Public Services (Social Value) Act
Procurement Essentials: social value in procurement
Read our article on social value in procurement. This article explores:
- how to apply social value when procuring
- how preparation is key
- how to evaluate bids for social value
Helpful information before you start buying
Your buying decisions have the power to boost local economy, make our society fairer, strengthen communities and make the future greener. Make those decisions with CCS.
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Sustainability
We can help you reduce your landfill waste, purchase sustainable cloud storage and limit the use of single-use plastics.
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Carbon net zero
Our commercial agreements can help you meet carbon net zero objectives in everything from vehicle procurement to renewable energy.
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Preventing modern slavery
We have a zero-tolerance approach towards modern slavery and actively manage the risk in our commercial agreements.
Get in touch with our social value experts
Talk to us
You can also contact us by email or phone
Email: info@crowncommercial.gov.uk
Telephone: 0345 410 2222
CCS customer services team is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.