Social
Sustainable procurement can be used as a tool for addressing specific social policy agendas such as driving diversity and equality targets, and job-creation in regeneration areas. This is closely linked to economic sustainability and the two concerns are sometimes grouped together under the heading 'socio-economic'. However, government literature in the UK and EU has established social aspects as a stand-alone concern in a "three-baseline" approach (environmental, economic, social). In this section you will find publications concerned with how social policies can be implemented through procurement.
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First Among Equals - Diversity in Local Government Leadership and Appointment (Web Page) Turley, Anna, 2009 New Local Government Network
A report which examines the use of equalities policy, public appointments and recruitment to attract a more diverse workforce and improve public services.
UK
Poverty Pay: How Public Sector Pay Fails Deprived Areas (Web Page)
Harding, Robert, 2007
Social Market Foundation (SMF)
This paper argues that the UK's system of public sector pay does not target resources effectively in those areas that need them most, and that the government should introduce a zonal pay system in the public sector to deal with shortages of well-qualified public sector workers in specific areas. It contends that the benefits of such a system include the creation of better public services in deprived areas, fairness to staff who work in these deprived areas and better use of public money spent on British health and education. The full report can be downloaded for free via the above link.
TUC's Submission to the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review (PDF) Trades Union Congress, 2007 This is the TUC's response to the Government's comprehensive spending review. It addresses some of the key areas for investment and reform that the Government outlines in the review, including the Government's proposals for globalisation, the environment and social justice. The TUC also provides it view on public services, stating a need for reform and recommending other areas within public services that the government has not yet addressed. UK
Recruitment 2020: How recruitment is changing and why it matters (PDF) Gallagher, Niamh and O'Leary, Duncan , 2007 Demos This report argues that the traditional divide between extremely personalized recruitment for highly skilled jobs and relatively standardized recruitment will soon be closing. The main aims of the study are to offer a guide to recruitment, and suggest a way of improving efficiency and fairness in recruitment. The study also makes recommendation supporting the recruitment pattern. ISBN 978 1 84180 180 3 UK
UK Government Sustainable Procurement Action Plan (PDF)
HM Government, 2007
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
In 2005 the UK Government stated its goal to be amongst the leading EU member states on sustainable procurement by 2009. This report sets out how they intend to meet this target. It incorporates the Government answer to the Sustainable Procurement Task Force, taking an explicitly environment-centric approach with socio-economic issues not afforded top priority status.
UK
Fairness and Freedom: The Final Report of the Equalities Review (PDF) The Equalities Review, 2007 The Equalities Review was established as an independent investigation into the causes of discrimination and inequality in the United Kingdom. This is its final report, whose recommendations include that public sector bodies should be required to report their performance on equality and that the same ought to be asked of private sector firms bidding for public service contracts. UK
Smarter Food Procurement in the Public Sector (PDF)
House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, 2007
The Stationery Office
This report examines the organisations responsible for the three largest areas of public food procurement - Department for Education and Skills, the Ministry of Defence and the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency. It argues that improving certain practices such as pricing negotiations and levels of frontline expertise can allow public bodies to improve significantly the efficiency of their food procurement while also sourcing ethically and enhancing sustainability.
Towards a Fairer Future (PDF)
Women and Work Commission, 2007
Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
This document gives a full update on progress against the Women and Work Commission's 'Shaping a Fairer Future' report (also available on the Resource Centre), one year after the latter's publication.
Procuring the future: The Sustainable Procurement Task Force National Action Plan (PDF) Sustainable Procurement Task Force, 2006 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) In 2005 the UK Government stated its goal to be amongst the leading EU member states on sustainable procurement by 2009. The SPTF, jointly funded by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and HM Treasury, was convened to make recommendations for fulfilling this ambition. This is their foundation report. PB11710
Making Equality and Diversity a Reality (PDF)
Audit Commission, 2006
This report outlines the Audit Commission's stated policy to promote diversity and equality among the organisations it audits and inspects, both in the way the organisations manage themselves and in the services they deliver.
The GLA Group Sustainable Procurement Policy (PDF) Greater London Authority (GLA), 2006 The first sustainable procurement policy published by a public sector body in the UK. It details the city of London's plans to ally public procurement with social inclusion, equality and environmental objectives in promoting ethical sourcing practices, workforce welfare and greater sustainability. The policy establishes a distinct competitive advantage for public service contract bidders demonstrating a commitment to these objectives. UK
Grown Your Own: Creating Conditions for Sustainable Workforce Development (PDF)
Malhotra, Gina, 2006
King's Fund
Grow-your-own workforce strategies are those where employers (i) look to local labour markets as the primary source of supply and (ii) encourage development and extension of existing staff roles to improve standards through a framework of challenge-and-reward rather than replacement. This report looks at the growing use of grow-your-own strategies in the London NHS and draws out lessons in sustainable recruitment for wider health services and other sectors.
Securing Community Benefits through the Planning Process (Web Page)
Audit Commission, 2006
This report summarises the findings of Audit Commission research looking at how effectively councils use planning obligations to deliver the necessary infrastructure for creating sustainable communities.
Working to Sustain Progress: Black and Minority Ethnic Non-Executive Directors in London (PDF)
Stanley, Eleanor, 2006
King's Fund
In recent years the NHS has made an explicit drive to reflect its work-force diversity at all organisational levels. Drawing on surveys and interviews with front-line individuals, this report examines the experiences of black and minority ethnic (BME) non-executive directors (NEDs) in recent times as well as asking what can be done to sustain representation of BME communities at NED level.
Working Group 2 - Data and Priorities (PDF)
Sustainable Procurement Task Force (SPTF), 2006
A report on the extent of - and limitations to - evidence and measurement in this area of research and policy formulation. Written by a SPTF working group, it places its findings in the context of both environmental and socio-economic consequences.
Sustainable Schools for Pupils, Communities and the Environment (PDF)
Department for Education and Skills (DfES), 2006
This DfES consultation paper seeks views from schools and their stakeholders on how issues such as local quality of life, global justice and climate change can used as learning opportunities for pupils - and as a focus for action among the whole community. Sustainable procurement is one key foundation stone of the ambitious targets outlined here.
Sustainable Schools for Pupils, Communities and the Environment: Government Response to the DfES Consultation (PDF)
UK Government, 2006
Government response to the DfES consultation paper. It outlines a national framework for sustainable schools including a number of key procurement issues: food and drink, energy and water, purchasing and waste, and buildings and grounds. It concludes with a plan to make a success of the UK's 'Action Year' for sustainable schools.
Social Issues In Purchasing (PDF) Office of Government Commerce (OGC), 2006 This guidance note from the OGC is intended to show how social issues can be integrated into the procurement process within the framework of UK Government policy and EU rules. The importance of the efficiency agenda, alongside which all social procurement must be considered, is also stressed. UK
Approaches To Support Workforce Skills Through Public Procurement - The Policy and Legal Framework (PDF) Department for Education and Skills (DfES)/Office of Government Commerce (OGC), 2006 DfES/OGC This advisory document sets out the policy and legal strands for supporting learning and skills through public procurement. It is designed for public policy procurers to ensure successful delivery. UK
Shaping a Fairer Future (PDF)
Women and Work Commission, 2006
Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
This report makes 40 detailed suggestions for tackling pay inequality between men and women in UK society. These are policies both for before market entry such as encouraging girls to study historically male subjects and after market entry such as facilitating flexible and part-time work. Achievement of pay equality is established as a minimum requirement in any long-term sustainable employment strategy.
Sustainable Food and the NHS (PDF) Jochelson, K; Norwood, S; Hussain, S and Heer, B, 2005 King's Fund In 2004 the Better Hospital Food Programme (BHFP) commissioned the King's Fund to identify opportunities for managing food procurement sustainably and promoting healthy eating in acute hospitals. This is their report, which includes a framework to help organisations to assess their procurement and catering practices, and recommends policies, menu designs and contract specifications to realise the environmental, economic and social benefits of sustainable public procurement. ISBN 1 85717 541 7 UK
Public Spending for Public Benefit (PDF)
Sacks, Justin, 2005
New Economics Foundation (nef)
This report examines public procurement in the UK with a view to analysing how this spending can achieve maximal social efficiency. Its key recommendations are to re-define efficiency and costing, remove jargon, and actively promote collaboration between public bodies and suppliers to improve the local economic and social impacts of public spending.
Catering For Sustainability: The Creative Procurement of School Meals in Italy and the UK (PDF) Morgan, Kevin and Sonnino, Roberta, 2005 Against the background of "moral panic" around food, health and obesity in Western nations, this report compares the socio-cultural environment of food choice and public procurement in Italy and the UK to assess the scope for sustainable food procurement, and to explore the role of cultural values in shaping policies for sustainability. ISBN: 1-902647-49-1 UK
Skills and Sustainable Welfare-to-Work (PDF) Mansour, Jane, 2005 Work Directions UK A paper arguing that welfare-to-work interventions need to extend beyond the pre-employment phase to retention and progression so as to become truly sustainable. Part of this involves improving the procurement of employment programmes. UK
Race and Equality in Public Procurement (PDF) Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), 2003 This CRE report offers practical guidance on procurement to public-service providers across all three sectors. It shows how public authorities are able to take account of the social consequences of their investment actions, setting out legal frameworks, step-by-step guides and good practice measures to ensure compliance with the Race Relations Act (1976, amended 2000). UK
Ethnic Minorities and the Labour Market: Final Report (PDF) Cabinet Office Strategy Unit, 2003 The objective of this project was to increase the participation and achievement of ethnic minorities in the UK labour market. The report contains a wide-ranging new Government strategy that aims to ensure that British ethnic minority groups no longer face unfair barriers to achievement in the labour market. Although this report pre-dates the sustainable procurement movement, procurement is identified as one of four key policy areas for improvement. UK
Family-Friendly Working: What a Performance! (PDF)
Gray, Helen, 2001
Centre for Economic Performance, London School of Economics
This working paper analyses the relationship between employer approaches to family-friendly working and employee performance. It uses management and employee questionnaires to consider whether employers offering policies enabling employees with families to maintain a full-time presence in the workplace has a positive impact and finds emphatically that it does. The findings have strong implications for employment policy particularly with regard to gender equality in the workplace.