Government contracts to require job creation instead of green targets under new rules
📰 source: theguardian_business · 💼 business
the uk government is overhauling how it awards public contracts. ministers will scrap the requirement for companies to show green or progressive credentials and instead ask them to prove they'll help young people into work. the change doubles the weight given to job creation in procurement decisions from 10% to 20%. government contracts are worth about £90bn a year.
louise haigh, first secretary of state, says the move will help small businesses locked out by tick-box requirements. contracts under £1m will be exempt. suppliers will be assessed on support for british jobs, skills, and specifically targeting young neets, care leavers, and people with long-term health conditions.
environmental groups criticised the shift. greenpeace uk's ami mccarthy said protecting the environment and helping young people aren't a trade-off. friends of the earth's rosie downes and green alliance's sarah williams echoed that, saying it shouldn't be either/or.
why it matters: uk shifts £90bn procurement from climate goals to job creation, changing what companies must deliver to win public contracts.
source: theguardian_business
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