The Benefits

Encouraging suppliers to deliver social value means that you and the community your serve can get more, both directly and indirectly, for your money. By using some of the approaches described by Ready for Business public sector commissioners and procurement teams can bring long-term good to communities by:

• Designing services that deliver real value to service users
• Supporting the Third Sector and the inherent social value that the sector delivers
• Supporting SMEs
• Creating skills and training opportunities (e.g. apprenticeships or on the job training)
• Creating employment opportunities for the long-term unemployed or NEETs
• Encouraging equal opportunities for all, regardless of gender, race and disability

There may be wider social benefits too, such as:

• Promoting fair and ethical trade
• Driving innovation in design or build
• Protecting the environment
• Community ownership of public assets