Fusion21's latest social value results highlight the growing role of procurement in delivering measurable employment and community outcomes beyond contract performance.

More than 700 people secured employment through projects delivered under Fusion21 procurement frameworks during 2025–2026, representing a 44.9% increase from the previous year. The organisation reported that local hires rose from 96 to 264, while the number of previously unemployed people entering work increased from 41 to 161. Procurement activity also supported the creation of 116 apprenticeships across construction, engineering and specialist trades, alongside 76 jobs linked to decarbonisation and net zero initiatives. The outcomes were achieved through contracts spanning housing, local government, education, the NHS and emergency services, demonstrating how social value commitments are increasingly embedded within public procurement frameworks.

The strategic significance lies in the continued evolution of procurement from a process focused primarily on cost and compliance to one measured by wider economic and social outcomes. Across the UK, public sector procurement is placing greater emphasis on creating local employment, developing workforce skills and supporting community resilience alongside delivering infrastructure and public services. This reflects a broader shift towards outcomes-based procurement, where contracting authorities increasingly evaluate the long-term public value generated through supplier performance rather than contract delivery alone. The UK Government's Procurement Act 2023 reinforces this approach by encouraging procurement that delivers public benefit throughout the procurement lifecycle.

For contracting authorities, social value has become an increasingly important differentiator during supplier evaluation and contract management. Framework providers and public buyers are seeking measurable evidence that procurement activity contributes to local economic development, workforce participation and environmental objectives. Guidance from the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) highlights that effective social value procurement depends on defining clear outcomes, embedding them within tender requirements and monitoring delivery throughout the life of a contract. Increasingly, suppliers are expected to demonstrate not only what they intend to deliver but also the measurable impact achieved within local communities.

The emphasis on employment and skills development also reflects wider labour market challenges affecting construction, infrastructure and public services. Investment in apprenticeships, local recruitment and green skills supports both workforce resilience and long-term economic growth while helping organisations meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments. Procurement professionals are therefore playing a more strategic role in shaping economic outcomes through purchasing decisions, supplier engagement and contract management.

For the sector, the lesson is direct: social value is no longer an additional consideration attached to public procurement. It is becoming a measurable performance indicator that influences supplier selection, contract delivery and long-term public value. As procurement frameworks continue to evolve, organisations that can evidence tangible community outcomes alongside technical capability are likely to strengthen their competitive position in future public sector competitions.

Source: Facilitate Magazine / Fusion21 / UK Government / Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS)