Under PPN 002, UK central government buyers give social value at least 10% of the total score in contracts under the Procurement Act 2023 started from 1 October 2025. They pick award criteria from the Social Value Model, five missions and eight outcomes, and score your specific, measurable commitments for the contract. What you promise becomes contract KPIs you report against.
What PPN 002 requires
Procurement Policy Note 002 tells UK central government departments, their executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies how to take social value into account when awarding contracts under the Procurement Act 2023. It applies to procurements under the Act started on or after 1 October 2025, for contracts above the procurement thresholds, where social value is relevant to the subject of the contract and proportionate.
Buyers give social value a minimum weighting of 10% of the total score, or 10% of the non-price criteria where they use an absolute scoring method. Social value is therefore often the difference between winning and losing a close bid.
The Social Value Model
Buyers choose award criteria from the Social Value Model, which links each outcome to one of the government’s five missions.
- Kick-start economic growth: fair work; skills for growth; a resilient, innovative and flexible supply chain.
- Make Britain a clean energy superpower: sustainable procurement practices.
- Take back our streets: supporting the reduction of crime.
- Break down barriers to opportunity: employment and training for those who face barriers; a pipeline of opportunities for the contract workforce and under-represented groups.
- Build an NHS fit for the future: wellbeing in the supply chain and in communities in the area.
What a strong response contains
Buyers score the quality of what you commit to deliver in the contract, not your general corporate social responsibility. A strong response gives a method statement and a project plan with specific, measurable, time-bound commitments tied to the contract: how many apprenticeships on this contract, how many tonnes of emissions avoided on this work, by when and how you will report it. Evidence of similar commitments delivered on earlier contracts makes the plan credible.
From commitment to contract KPI
Everything you commit to in the bid goes into the contract as contract terms or key performance indicators, and you report against it during the contract. Do not promise what you cannot measure. For environmental commitments, a baseline footprint and a way to measure the emissions of the contract work make the KPIs reportable.
How it relates to the Carbon Reduction Plan
Social value and the Carbon Reduction Plan under PPN 006 are separate. The Carbon Reduction Plan is a condition of participation for contracts above £5 million a year; social value is scored in the award. Both reward the same thing on the environmental side: a measured footprint, targets and reduction measures you can show.
Doing it in Greener Ahead
Greener Ahead does not write social value bids. Carbon accounting in Greener Ahead calculates your footprint with Scope 1, 2 and all 15 Scope 3 categories and the source behind every tonne, which gives environmental commitments a baseline and makes them reportable during the contract. It costs €1,495 per year with unlimited users, and you can try it free for 14 days without a card. Check the pricing page for current details.
The Social Value Model at a glance
The five missions and the outcomes buyers can choose from.
| Mission | Outcomes | Example commitment for a contract |
|---|---|---|
| Kick-start economic growth | Fair work; skills for growth; resilient supply chains | Four apprenticeships on the contract within two years |
| Make Britain a clean energy superpower | Sustainable procurement practices | Cut the emissions of contract deliveries by 25% in three years |
| Take back our streets | Supporting the reduction of crime | Employment for people leaving prison |
| Break down barriers to opportunity | Employment and training for those facing barriers; opportunities for under-represented groups | Work placements for long-term unemployed people |
| Build an NHS fit for the future | Wellbeing in the supply chain and communities | A wellbeing programme for the contract workforce |
Weak and strong responses
Buyers score the commitment, not the company’s general record.
- Weak: “We are committed to sustainability.” Strong: a measured baseline and a reduction target for the contract work.
- Weak: a list of charity donations. Strong: commitments relevant to the subject of the contract.
- Weak: no timescale. Strong: dates and KPIs you will report on.
- Weak: promises you cannot measure. Strong: a method to measure and report each commitment.
- Weak: copied text from another bid. Strong: a plan that fits this buyer’s chosen outcome.
Sources and scope
- GOV.UK: PPN 002, taking account of social value in the award of central government contracts
- GOV.UK: PPN 006, taking account of Carbon Reduction Plans in the procurement of major government contracts
These resources explain a preparation workflow. Check your selected standard and recipient requirements before sharing your report.
Joost ThissenFounder
