The government has appointed Chris White MP (pictured), who championed the Social Value Act last year, as its first social value ambassador.
White, who is the Conservative MP for Warwick and Leamington, introduced the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 as a private member's bill last year. It came into force on 31 January 2013, requiring local authorities and other public bodies to consider social impact when procuring services. He has now been tasked with overseeing and encouraging improvements in the social, environmental and economic impact of public services contracts.
He said he was “delighted” by the appointment, and added: “I look forward to working with stakeholders in local government and the public sector as well as engaging with civil society organisations and social enterprises on the ground to see how we can make sure that this Act reaches its full potential.”
Earlier this year he stressed that now the Act had been introduced, “the challenge is to show how it works and where it works”.
Nick Hurd, minister for civil society, said: “Chris White has played a pivotal role in developing the ground-breaking Social Value Act. His vision has helped ensure that public sector contracts will deliver maximum value to our communities and that taxpayers' money is spent as efficiently and effectively as possible on public services. I would like to congratulate Chris on his achievements and I wish him every success in his new position as our official social value ambassador.”
Appointment welcomed by the sector
NCVO welcomed the appointment. Deputy chief executive Ben Kernighan said: “The creation of this post is very welcome news at a time when we were beginning to worry about the pace at which the Social Value Act is being taken up. Charities contribute a huge amount to their communities and many could help to transform public services if they if they were able to compete for contracts on a more level playing field.
“I’m confident that Chris will be a relentless advocate for the principles of social value in all public sector procurement. His campaigning won round the government, and I hope he can now win round commissioners across the country. He has our full support in doing so.”
Social Enterprise UK also welcomed the appointment, Peter Holbrook, chief executive, added: “We’ve seen local authorities like Birmingham, East Sussex and Knowsley already pick up the baton, and Liverpool City Council announced the first Social Value Taskforce to support commissioners to use the Act. We’re also beginning to witness a real shift in the way private sector companies do business as a result of the legislation.”
Acevo warned in March that it would take anyone breaking the new law to court.
