The Government has recently published two consultations of direct relevance to our sector:
- A consultation on public procurement reforms that will benefit VCSE (Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise) and SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprise) organisations
- A consultation on strengthening the requirement for emergency response organisations to establish and maintain partnerships with voluntary, community and faith organisations.
Please find more details on both consultations below.
Public Procurement: Growing British industry, jobs and skills - consultation on further reforms to public procurement
The government is consulting on changes to the Public Procurement Act that will open up more opportunities for VCSE organisations and SMEs bidding for government contracts.
Proposals include:
- Setting targets for large contracting authorities (with a spend of £100m per annum) to publish and monitor against a three year target for direct spend with VCSEs and SMEs.
- Clarifying in primary legislation where it may be appropriate to award contracts for certain services delivered to vulnerable citizens without full competitive procedure, so that decisions can be driven by the needs of the individuals and vulnerable groups.
- Requiring contracting authorities to use standard social value criteria and metrics selected from a streamlined list (to be co-designed with the public sector and suppliers).
You can read the full consultation and find out how to respond here
This consultation closes on 5 September 2025.
Strengthening Partnerships Consultation
This consultation seeks views about suggested changes to the Civil Contingencies Act, which requires general Category 1 responders (the emergency services, local authorities, NHS bodies, for example) to have regard to the activities of relevant voluntary organisations when preparing for and responding to emergencies.
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended strengthening partnership working requirements between Category 1 responders and VCF (voluntary, community and faith) organisations.
The requirement would be implemented by amending the regulation to require the responders to establish and maintain partnerships with VCF organisations in the areas in which the emergency responders are responsible for preparing for and responding to emergencies.
The consultation is seeking responses from a range of organisations from our sector, including those involved in: Community support and mutual aid; Culture and recreation; Development; Disability advocacy and representation; Education; Emergency planning and response; Environment; Grant-making; Health; International; Law and advocacy; Local infrastructure organisations or local membership body; National membership bodies; Religion; Research; Social services; Uniformed and leadership youth programmes; Village halls.
You can read the full consultation and find out how to respond here
This consultation closes on 16 September 2025.
