In the first of our Fresh Thinking series we have written a thought piece that is intended to provoke better thinking about how wellbeing is procured in the public arena. It assesses the difficulties in the UK with achieving social benefits in public procurement; describes various initiatives aimed at dispelling myths about good and bad practice; and speculates as to how the Green Book and other government guidance does not quite hit the mark in this area. It offers 3 steps towards embedding better value for money through embracing social, economic and environmental benefits with the aim of achieving improved outcomes for places and people in the UK.

It coincides with MPs signing Early Day Motion 1364:
That this House recognises the important role social enterprises have in the promotion of social cohesion and sustainable development within communities, generating substantial social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits; notes the emergence of community benefit contracts which allow public bodies to legally insist on terms that bring extra benefits to disadvantaged communities such as work and training opportunities; and calls on the Government to deliver guidance for procurement officers on the use of community benefit clauses, demonstrating how social enterprises deliver added social value.