The number of voices from different departments and policy areas is already lending their weight to SV. I really hope this means we’ll see some real, social value-centred, cross-departmental collaboration and coherence in tackling some of the most ingrained issues, such as social care, prison reform, and levelling opportunities across different geographical areas.
It seems that Responsible Business and Social Values are core in our new Labour government-
✅Already, the new Secretary of State for Business & Trade, Jonathan Reynolds MP, has indicated his belief that social value in procurement can drive community wellbeing and improve staff wellbeing and productivity. And they are committing to revitalise the definition of social value through a delayed Procurement Act in 2025.
✅And his new sidekick, the Minister for Business, is none other than Douglas Alexander MP, one of our first ministers for corporate responsibility back in the noughties. He championed the role that business can play in society and spent much of the intervening years in the charity sector.
✅Rachel Reeves’ powerful speech at Anthropy UK talked about the importance of the public, private, and third sector for the future of Britain.
✅In the Minstry of Justice, the appointment of Minister for Prisons James Timpson has already made headlines, as he brings his experience as a compassionate and profitable business leader to the challenges in the justice sector.
✅And if all that is not enough – the call is already out for someone to really help shape our government’s approach on Social Value – and this time – it’s right in the cabinet office.
I know there are some really talented and experienced Social Value professionals out there in my network who understand the nuances of embedding Social Value in business and the social value that public procurement can offer to facilitate social change.
Wouldn’t it be fab to see a practitioner in this key role?
But they need some expert help to drive it across the government. Could it be you?
