The recent Procurement Policy Note 05/21 reveals interesting aspects of the relationship between central and local government. The National Procurement Policy Statement ‘sets out the national priorities that all contracting authorities should have regard to in their procurement’.

The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 already governs procurement by local government and other public bodies. While it does not define social value, the central requirement is that a body must consider how procurement ‘might improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of the relevant area’. For a council, this means the council’s area. The 2012 Act is intended to drive local consequences.