NATIONAL PROCUREMENT POLICY STATEMENT

After years of behind-the-scenes work led by Claire Dove, founder of acclaimed social enterprise Blackburne House in Liverpool, former Chair of Social Enterprise UK, and now Crown Representative for the VCSE Sector, the government has announced a significant shift in its approach to procurement.

Ther National Procurement Policy Statement, published in February 2025, sets out government requirements for all contracting authorities, i.e. national, regional and local public sector spending bodies.

A key message is that the public sector should ‘maximise procurement spend with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs)’.

• The document explains that ‘Small businesses and social enterprises are more likely to generate diverse and thriving local economies, creating jobs and economic growth.’ 

• It goes on to say that ‘Increasing procurement spend with these suppliers is a national priority to drive economic growth.’

• Furthermore: ‘This Government wants to maximise every opportunity for these suppliers by opening up competition in public contracts and removing the barriers to participation they face.’

You can read the whole document here (it is mercifully short!).

These are strong statements, which could lead to a significant shift in the way that public money is applied. Every national government department now has to draw up a plan, approved by its Minister, and scrutinised by Clare and her advisory panel. The panel includes several Better Way members including Steve Wyler, Better Way co-founder.  If you would like to find out more, or have ideas or evidence you want to share with Steve, please contact him at stevewyler@betterway.network.