On 25 June 2018, David Lidington MP (Minister for the Cabinet
Office) set out the Government's latest push to incorporate
social value into public procurement.
In the speech at the Reform think tank it was confirmed, amongst
other things, that the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012
(SVA) will be extended to require certain
Government departments to not merely consider social value
when procuring applicable public services contracts, but to
explicitly evaluate social value. It is not currently
known when this requirement will take effect, and we understand
that the changes to legislation and supporting guidance are yet to
be drafted.
The announcement formed part of the Government's overarching
restatement of its views on the benefits of private sector
outsourcing, amidst the criticism levelled in the wake of the
insolvency of Carillion and a desire to promote a move away from
the "price only" based evaluations which are frequently
used.
