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UK supplier guide

Social value in tenders:
the Act, PPN 002 and the model

Central government must weight social value at at least 10% of the total score in in-scope procurements, and every commitment you make goes into the contract.

Find tenders and read their social value criteria →

Checked against primary sources5 sources linked below

  1. Read the criteria

    This guide’s primary sources

  2. Check the weighting

    This guide’s primary sources

  3. Make it specific

    This guide’s primary sources

  4. Measure and resource

    This guide’s primary sources

  1. At least 10%

    For in-scope central government procurements.

    This guide’s primary sources

  2. Specific to the contract

    Generic CSR does not score.

    This guide’s primary sources

  3. Contractual

    Commitments become terms or KPIs.

    This guide’s primary sources

Which rules require social value in tenders?

The Social Value Act 2012 for services, PPN 002 for central government, and the National Procurement Policy Statement under the Procurement Act.

RuleWho it applies toWhat it requires
Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012Public authorities buying servicesConsider how the procurement might improve economic, social and environmental well-being
PPN 002Central government departments, agencies and NDPBs, above thresholdUse the social value model with a minimum 10% weighting
National Procurement Policy StatementContracting authorities under the Procurement ActHave regard to the government’s priorities, including social value
PPN 002 (updated 5 March 2025) and legislation, read 18 October 2026. Councils and NHS bodies often apply their own approach.

How much is social value worth in the score?

At least 10% of the total score for in-scope central government procurements.

10% minimum

  1. Total score

    10% of the total, or of the quality score where price-per-quality-point is used.

    PPN 002, para 10

  2. Exception

    Only where market engagement shows it would significantly reduce competition.

    Model guide, 3.4

  1. 10% of the total, or of the quality score where price-per-quality-point is used.

    PPN 002, para 10

  2. Only where market engagement shows it would significantly reduce competition.

    Model guide, 3.4

  3. Commitments become contract terms or KPIs.

    PPN 002, para 11

  4. G-Cloud 15 Lot 1a weights “understanding social value” at 10%.

    G-Cloud 15 notice

How do you write social value commitments that score and hold up?

Tie each commitment to the contract, measure it and plan how you will report it.

  1. Start with the source01

    Read the criteria

    Find the outcomes and sub-criteria the buyer selected.
  2. Define the scope02

    Check the weighting

    At least 10% for in-scope central government procurements.
  3. Read the evidence03

    Make it specific

    Commitments for this contract and place, not company-wide CSR.
  4. Make the decision04

    Measure and resource

    Numbers, dates, owners and the cost of delivering them.
  5. Name the next action05

    Plan the reporting

    Commitments become contract terms or KPIs.

A supplier’s review sequence, based on the primary sources below. It is not a measured outcome or a prescribed buyer timetable.

How does the social value model work?

The buyer picks outcomes and award criteria from a menu tied to government missions; you respond as part of your tender.

  1. Before you start01

    Use the current documents

    Check the primary publication and later changes before using the sequence below.
  2. Check 202

    Buyer selects outcomes

    From the PPN 002 model menu, relevant to the contract’s subject matter (model guide).
  3. Check 303

    Criteria appear in the ITT

    A model question with award criteria and sub-criteria. Reading the ITT →
  4. Check 404

    You respond with an offer

    Specific, measurable commitments for this contract.
  5. Follow through05

    Assessed qualitatively

    Against the criteria and sub-criteria, then written into the contract.

An editorial order of work, not a buyer's fixed timetable. The current notice and documents determine participation and submission.

How do you write a social value answer that scores?

Tie each commitment to the contract, measure it, resource it and show how you will report it.

A social value question

  • What scores

    Commitments specific to this contract and place, with numbers, dates, owners and a reporting method you can deliver.

  • What loses marks

    Company-wide CSR copy, vague pledges and commitments you cannot evidence later. It will be in the contract. Preparing an assessable offer →

Promise only what you will deliver. It goes in the contract.

  1. At least 10%

    For in-scope central government procurements.

  2. Specific to the contract

    Generic CSR does not score.

  3. Contractual

    Commitments become terms or KPIs.
Find tenders and read their social value criteria →

Search free; the award criteria are in the notice and tender documents.

What else should you know about Social value?

Check these points before committing your team’s time.

What is social value in procurement?
The wider economic, social and environmental benefits a contract delivers, such as local jobs, skills or carbon reduction. Buyers assess it as part of the award criteria.
What is the minimum social value weighting?
PPN 002 requires in-scope central government organisations to apply at least 10% of the total score to social value, or 10% of the quality score where price-per-quality-point is used.
What is the Social Value Act?
The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 requires public authorities buying services to consider how the procurement could improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of the area.
Does PPN 002 apply to councils?
No. It applies to central government departments, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies; other authorities may choose to use it. Councils often set their own social value approach.
What replaced PPN 06/20?
PPN 002, published in February 2025. In-scope organisations must apply it to Procurement Act procurements started on or after 1 October 2025.

Where can you check the evidence?

Read the primary publication and the buyer’s current documents before acting.

SourceWhat it supports
PPN 002 · Cabinet Office ↗Scope, 10% minimum and contract commitments, read 18 October 2026.
PPN 002 guide to using the social value model ↗The model and weighting exceptions.
Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 ↗The duty to consider social value.
Procurement Act 2023 ↗Award criteria and the NPPS.
G-Cloud 15 notice · Find a Tender ↗A real 10% social value weighting.
Follow the current primary publication for its scope and any later changes. Calculators use your inputs, not measured savings.

Follow the part of the bid you need to work on next.

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