Social value guide · part 6 of 6
Social value links and resources
Every official document, law and recognised scheme this guide relies on, grouped by who it applies to. Where a source is a private company or a presentation rather than formal policy, we say so.
Last checked: 6 October 2026
The law
- Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, section 1
legislation.gov.uk
The duty on authorities in England (and non-devolved bodies in Wales) to consider social value before procuring services above the thresholds.
- Procurement Act 2023, section 12
legislation.gov.uk
Maximising public benefit, and the barriers SMEs face.
- Procurement Act 2023, section 13
legislation.gov.uk
The duty to have regard to the National Procurement Policy Statement.
- Procurement Act 2023, section 23
legislation.gov.uk
Award criteria and the assessment methodology a tender must publish.
- Procurement Act 2023, section 52
legislation.gov.uk
Key performance indicators on contracts over £5 million.
- Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023
legislation.gov.uk
The Welsh socially responsible procurement duty, in force from 25 March 2026.
- Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, section 9
legislation.gov.uk
Scotland's sustainable procurement duty.
- Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, section 25
legislation.gov.uk
Community benefit requirements for contracts of £4 million or more.
Central government policy
- PPN 002: taking account of social value in central government contracts
Cabinet Office
The current rules: minimum 10% weighting, commitments in the contract.
- The Social Value Model (PPN 002)
Cabinet Office
The eight outcomes, model award criteria, model question and reporting metrics. The best single document for a bidder.
- Guide to using the Social Value Model
Cabinet Office
How buyers write questions, evaluate answers and manage commitments, with FAQs.
- PPN 026: the Social Value Model (from 1 January 2027)
Cabinet Office
The new jobs and skills model for central government contracts of £1 million or more.
- Announcement of the 2027 model, 5 August 2026
Cabinet Office
The government's explanation, including why the threshold is £1 million.
- PPN 003: the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012
Cabinet Office
What the Act covers and what it does not (PDF).
- National Procurement Policy Statement
Cabinet Office
The national priorities every contracting authority in England must have regard to.
- PPN 006: carbon reduction plans
Cabinet Office
When a carbon reduction plan is required, with the free template.
- Guide to using the Social Value Model, edition 1.1 (2020, superseded)
Cabinet Office
The earlier guide, still useful for its scoring bands and weighting examples (PDF).
- Bid evaluation guidance note (May 2021)
Cabinet Office
How evaluation panels score and moderate, including weighting examples (PDF).
- Social value in MoD procurement
Ministry of Defence (presentation summary)
A practical list of common mistakes and what good looks like. Not formal policy.
- Government Commercial Agency: social value
Government Commercial Agency
Social value on the government's commercial frameworks. Formerly Crown Commercial Service.
Councils and the NHS in England
- National Procurement Strategy for Local Government in England 2022
Local Government Association
Councils' shared approach to procurement, including social value maturity levels.
- TOM System (Themes, Outcomes and Measures)
Social Value Portal (private company)
The measurement framework many councils use, with financial proxy values. Not government policy.
- NHS Social Value Playbook (July 2025)
NHS England
How the NHS applies its minimum 10% net zero and social value weighting.
- Greener NHS: suppliers
NHS England
Carbon reduction plan and net zero requirements for NHS suppliers.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Statutory guidance on socially responsible procurement
Welsh Government
How Welsh bodies apply the 2023 Act.
- WPPN 003: social value clauses and community benefits
Welsh Government
Welsh policy, including the 10% minimum weighting where social value is included.
- Model social public works clauses
Welsh Government
Clauses for major Welsh construction contracts.
- Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014: statutory guidance
Scottish Government
How Scottish bodies apply the sustainable procurement duty and community benefits.
- Fair Work First in procurement
Scottish Government
The Fair Work First criteria, including the real Living Wage.
- PPN 01/21: Social Value in Procurement (revised)
Department of Finance, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's minimum 10% social value weighting.
Schemes and evidence
Each is optional. Check the scheme's own site for current criteria and fees.
- Disability Confident
Department for Work and Pensions · Free
Three levels: Committed, Employer, Leader.
- Armed Forces Covenant
Ministry of Defence · Free
A pledge to support the armed forces community.
- Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
Ministry of Defence · Free
Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for employers supporting defence.
- Fair Payment Code
Office of the Small Business Commissioner · Free
Recognition for paying suppliers promptly. Replaced the Prompt Payment Code.
- Real Living Wage accreditation
Living Wage Foundation · From £100 a year for fewer than 10 employees
Accreditation for paying at least the real Living Wage.
- Good Business Charter
Good Business Charter · Free
Ten components of responsible business.
- SME Climate Hub
SME Climate Hub · Free
A climate commitment and tools for small businesses.
- Principles of social value
Institute for Social Value
Principles for measuring social value honestly, including do not overclaim.
- Employing an apprentice: funding
GOV.UK · Free to use
What the government pays towards apprentices in England, including full training costs for 16 to 24 year olds at non-levy employers from 1 August 2026.
- Advertise a job on Find a Job
Department for Work and Pensions · Free
The government's job site, which central government contracts use for local roles.
Help for small firms and the voluntary sector
- VCSEs: a guide to working with government
Cabinet Office
Tendering advice for voluntary and social enterprises. Some references are dated.
- Voluntary, community and social enterprise business hub
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Where VCSEs can find support, funding and contract opportunities.
- The Procurement Act 2023: a short guide for suppliers
Cabinet Office
What changed for suppliers in February 2025.
- Transforming Public Procurement knowledge drops
Cabinet Office
Short videos on the Procurement Act, including for SMEs and VCSEs.
Links checked on 6 October 2026. Policy in this area changes often, and the central government guidance for the 2027 model is due in autumn 2026, so check the date on any document before relying on it.
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Common questions
Links and resources
Where can I read the central government Social Value Model?
On GOV.UK, published with PPN 002. It sets out the outcomes, the model award criteria, the model question buyers use and the standard reporting metrics. From 1 January 2027 central government contracts of £1 million or more use the new model in PPN 026.