A snippet from our upcoming podcast with the Deputy Director for Procurement Reform at the Cabinet Office. The Cabinet Office has a brief stakeholder survey open to gather ideas and insights for shaping the NPPS, supporting a mission-driven approach to public procurement focused on value for money, social value, innovation, and collaboration.

Public sector organisations must put social value at the heart of procurement and stop spending with firms that fail to protect their staff or the environment, urges STAR Procurement director Lorraine Cox. By prioritising ethical suppliers, public spending can drive better results for communities, taxpayers, and the planet.

Scottish communities stand to gain significantly from a surge in new energy projects, with onshore and offshore developments promising unprecedented opportunities. Foundation Scotland’s Rachel Searle highlights how social value funds linked to these initiatives could drive transformative benefits for local areas and households across the country.

Businesses seeking local NHS contracts should adopt a “less is more” approach to social value bids, advises Alastair Clay, sustainability and social value manager. Focusing on realistic, measurable commitments, especially in environmental impact, can improve bid success and streamline contract management.

In this article for ARPAS UK - The UK Drone Association, Sarah Stone highlights the growing importance of social value for small business drone operators. Sarah outlines five practical steps operators can take to create positive social impact, from prioritising sustainability to educating communities on drone technology's benefits.

In a thought-provoking article for Tech UK, Sarah Stone makes a case for pay transparency in the tech sector as a social value opportunity. Sarah urges tech companies to lead the way by publishing pay ranges, promoting fairness and tackling workforce inequality through open salary policies.

Discover how your local community could benefit from major development projects. In this article Sarah Stone reveals a growing trend in the UK that could bring unexpected resources to charities and community groups. Learn how to position your organisation to take advantage of these opportunities. Don't miss out on potential investments, donations, and volunteer support.

In an article for Charity Today magazine, Sarah Stone outlines a new funding opportunity for charities - social value partnerships with businesses. Sarah advises charities to create a "shopping list" of their needs to pitch to companies looking to fulfil social value commitments through their contracts. Could corporate social value be charities' next big funding source?

Sarah Stone's article in In-Procurement Magazine unpacks the NHS's new net zero mandate for suppliers. From April, only businesses committed to net zero by 2050 can win NHS contracts. With 80,000 suppliers affected, Sarah outlines practical steps to meet the standards and secure contracts while boosting reputation.

UK firms are missing out on hidden potential in employee volunteering. Sarah Stone calls for a fresh look at company volunteering programs. She suggests focusing on using employees' skills and offering flexible options. Sarah points out how rethinking staff volunteering can benefit charities, workers, and businesses alike.