Social value bill moves to committee stage after backing from MPs

MPs have voted in favour of legislation that will require all public sector contracts to deliver positive social, economic and environmental outcomes. The Public Services (Social Enterprise and Social Value) Bill passed the second reading stage on 19th November and will now be debated by a committee of MPs in early 2011.
Tabled by Conservative MP, Chris White, the private member’s bill will require local authorities to publish social enterprise and social value strategies and enable communities to participate in those strategies.
During the second reading, Chris White said: "What we can see is that there is a definite trend towards services that are more local, more personalised and more responsive to our community needs. Civil society has a great opportunity to provide these services if it given the chance to do so and, once it has been given the chance to do so, to build on them."
He added: "This bill will seek to make commissioners more enlightened in their approach and to send a strong message to all areas of the public sector that what is presently seen as good practice becomes normal practice."
Peter Holbrook, chief executive of the Social Enterprise Coalition, which has been rallying support for the bill, said: "We cannot be anything other than delighted with today’s result. It was a major hurdle to overcome. As a result of this bill we have increased awareness of the importance of social enterprise and social value among MPs.

[from: Civil Society Finance 22.11.10]