A private members’ bill that would require all public bodies to consider the social effects of a service contract passed through its Committee stage last week.
The Public Services (Social Value) Bill is sponsored by Chris White (Conservative, Warwick and Leamington). It would require public bodies contracting for any service to “consider how it might promote or improve the economic, social or environmental well-being of the relevant area” at the pre-procurement stage of a contract where the work specification is finalised and the awarding criteria are set out.
The Bill, was introduced last year as the Public Services (Social Enterprises and Social Value) Bill, and made provision regarding the promotion of social enterprise in a national social enterprise strategy and in local authority sustainable community strategies.
The Bill is scheduled to have its report stage and third reading on 25 November
2011 before passing to the Lords. Since the Government supports the Bill as
amended, it is likely to become law next year.