Social value has long been part of construction and infrastructure conversations. What is changing now is the level of expectation.
With the Procurement Act 2023 now in force, alongside the National Procurement Policy Statement and the updated PPN 002, social value no longer sits at the margins of bids. It is a core part of how projects are evaluated, delivered and reported.
For construction and infrastructure, that shift matters.
More than bricks, steel and concrete
Construction and infrastructure projects shape places in ways few other investments can. A transport scheme, new hospital or energy asset does more than deliver physical infrastructure, it leaves a lasting mark on communities by:
- Creating local jobs and apprenticeships
- Opening up local and regional supply chains
- Supporting skills development and create routes into work for people who experience barriers.
Clients want confidence that these benefits are designed in from the outset, not added on. The conversation has moved on.
It is no longer “what will you commit to?”
It is now “how will you deliver it?”
From commitments to delivery
Strong commitments still matter. Local employment, apprenticeships, SME engagement, VCSE partnerships, carbon reduction and community investment remain core themes across bids. What clients are now looking for is how these commitments will be delivered in practice. That means:
- Place based approaches aligned to local priorities
- Clear delivery models linked to the project lifecycle
- Defined KPIs and reporting mechanisms
- The ability to evidence progress over time, not just at contract award.
This is where many projects succeed or fall short.
Where social value often breaks down
Social value can lose momentum when it sits separately from project delivery. Without clear ownership, defined processes and ongoing engagement, commitments risk becoming disconnected from what happens on site.
The result is familiar: strong promises, but limited impact.
A more effective approach brings bid and delivery from the start.
Embedding social value into delivery
At CloudNine, we support clients from bid to build and beyond. That means shaping policy aligned, high scoring responses at tender stage, while also putting the structures in place to deliver and sustain them. That includes:
- Implementation planning
- Stakeholder and community engagement
- Supply chain alignment
- Practical impact reporting.
This means embedding social value into the way projects are designed, procured and delivered, not treating it as a separate workstream.
Stronger bids. Stronger places
Done well, social value strengthens bids. More importantly, it strengthens places.
If you are looking to move beyond commitments and into meaningful, measurable impact, we would love to support. Get in touch: [email protected].
