Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the value of public bodies adopting local procurement strategies, particularly to help revitalise towns with high rates of young people not in education, employment, or training.

The Government believes that public procurement is a vital lever for driving local economic growth, supporting British industry, and revitalising communities. Through the National Procurement Policy Statement, all public bodies - including central government, local authorities, and the wider public sector - are instructed to deliver social and economic value. This includes maximising spend with small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations, which are deeply embedded in their local communities.

We have also announced changes to the government’s priorities for social value in central government procurement which will put community impact at the heart of commercial decision-making. This will focus on creating good quality jobs and developing skills, particularly for individuals who face barriers to employment.