BetterForUs

9 September 2026 – Manchesterism and Europe: a shared vision for public good procurement

Across Europe, governments are confronting the same uncomfortable truth. Economic growth means little politically if people do not feel its benefits in their everyday lives. The cost of living, insecure work, unaffordable housing and pressure on public services have contributed to a growing sense that the economy is not working well enough for ordinary people. […]

8 August 2026 – A shorter social value list – a bigger opportunity

This week the Government has announced a new approach to social value in public procurement, changing both what it wants public bodies to focus on, and how much importance social value should carry when major contracts are awarded. The idea behind social value is straightforward. Laws passed in 2012 required public bodies to consider how […]

29 June 2026 – Manchesterism and the future of public good procurement

Every so often a speech comes along that changes the direction of a debate. Andy Burnham’s recent speech on Manchesterism feels like one of those moments. For those of us who have spent years arguing that public procurement should do more than simply buy services at the lowest price, it is exciting to hear a […]

13 May 2026 – King’s Speech – a missed opportunity for procurement

The King’s Speech came and went without the Procurement Bill many people had expected to see. This matters because public procurement should not be some dry administrative process buried in Whitehall. It is one of the most powerful economic tools government has to shape the economy and to address the cost of living crisis. Every […]

6 May 2026 – Aspire bags King’s Award for promoting social mobility

Aspire Community Works has been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise for Promoting Opportunity, recognising its leadership in improving pay, conditions and access to employment in the everyday economy through its BetterforUs campaign. The award highlights a practical model of delivery that links high-quality services with fair work. Aspire holds the Mayor of London’s Good […]

5 November 2025 – From sick notes to Good Work what’s missing from the Government’s Review

The new Keep Britain Working review puts occupational health centre stage – but the real cure for economic inactivity lies in reshaping the nature of everyday work. It’s time for government and public authorities to lead the way on Good Work. The Government’s Keep Britain Working review, published today, puts occupational health back on the […]

11 September 2025 – Welsh Government consultation

Welsh Government consultation: draft Workforce Code The Welsh Government is asking for views on a new Workforce Code for outsourced public services in Wales. The Code is required under the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023 and would replace the 2014 guidance. The draft Code sets out how staff should be treated when […]

11 September 2025- Public good procurement – time to be bold

Every year government spends over £341 billion on public procurement. That money doesn’t just buy services – it pays the wages of care workers, cleaners, housing staff and others who keep communities running. Because of its scale, procurement can either reinforce inequality – through low pay, insecure contracts and the dominance of large firms – […]

26 June 2025 – Government consults on further procurement changes

The Government has issued a further consultation on procurement and is promising changes in procurement law when time allows. Most of the proposed changes have been anticipated but there ae some interesting proposals including a relaxation of competition law in relation to services for vulnerable people. The key proposals are requiring large contracting authorities to […]

17 May 2025 – Authorities ignoring powerful procurement tool to address inequality

It is now nearly 3 months since the Procurement Act 2023 came into force. The jury is out whether the Act will bring about significant change and encourage new entrants into public procurement enabling a mixed economy and more social innovation as advocated by the current Minister, Georgina Gould. Research carried out by Aspire’s BetterforUs […]

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