The Complete Guide to The Social Value Model
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PPN026 - The new Social Value Model October 2026
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PPN002 - Social Value Model February 2025
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PPN06/20 - Social Value Model 2020
The new Social Value Model: PPN 026
PPN026 was published by the UK Government in August 2026, with accompanying guidance published in October 2026.
The Government has published detailed guidance for the new Social Value Model (PPN 026), bringing significant changes to how social value will be evaluated in in-scope central government procurement.
The PPN026 model has been streamlined around two core outcomes: Good Jobs and Skills. These cover six areas: creating or retaining high-quality jobs, fair working conditions, fair pay, training and re-training, in-work progression and the talent pipeline.
*insert the model on a page
PPN026 applies to all new in-scope procurements commencing on 1 January 2027. Social value will carry a minimum weighting of:
10% for contracts between £1m (including VAT) and £5m
20% for contracts worth £5m or more
This significantly increases the influence social value can have on procurement outcomes.
Taking into account the scale or volume of social value offered
For contracts worth £5 million or more, commissioners may choose to score some social value commitments quantitatively. This could include the number of:
jobs created for people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET);
other jobs created through the contract;
jobs created in high-growth sectors; and
apprenticeships created.
This will be considered on a case-by-case basis and is likely to be most relevant to larger, longer-term contracts where the market can realistically support these commitments without creating barriers for SMEs or VCSEs.
For bidders, this means both the quality and the scale of your social value commitments may matter.
*Scoring page
Retaining jobs or apprentices and supporting the redeployment of staff
Social value isn't only about creating new jobs. Commitments can also recognise the retention of existing jobs and apprenticeships, particularly where significant new job creation isn't realistic. Existing employees or apprentices can also be redeployed onto a contract where this provides continued employment for people from target cohorts, such as care leavers or people in the justice system.
The key is additionality: commissioners need to be confident that retaining or redeploying someone creates genuine additional social value, rather than counting employment that would have continued anyway.
Turning social value commitments into measurable Key Performance Indicators
For contracts worth £5 million or more, at least one Social Value Model KPI will be set. This combines a clear delivery target with a numerical measure, making it easier to track whether the commitment is actually being delivered.
PPN026 Performance metrics
*performance metrics page
We have created a set of quick-reference resources showing each Social Value Model sub-criterion alongside its relevant performance metrics, as well as a quick visual summary for the Government's defined target cohorts.
*all six pages of sub criteria
*Target cohorts
We know that policy changes like this can feel daunting. We're here to cut through the noise, explain what the changes actually mean in practice, and help you focus on what matters most.
Join our mailing list for practical updates on PPN 026 and social value.
The Social Value Model on a page: PPN002 vs PPN026
In this explainer video, Sarah Stone walks you through the New Social value model
You’ll see the difference between PPN002 and the New PPN026, what’s changing, what’s staying and what’s still to come.
Watch the full video on Youtube
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What is the Social Value Model?
Start with the basics. This blog explains what the Social Value Model is, why it was introduced, and how it shapes the way government buyers assess bids.goes here
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Complete Guide To The Social Value Model
Guide to the Social Value Model (PPN002). Learn key changes from PPN06/20, new procurement requirements, and how suppliers should prepare.tion goes here
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The Old Social Value Model
Learn what the old Social Value Model (PPN06/20) was, why it’s being phased out, and how procurement has changed under the updated Social Value Model (PPN002).
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The Social Value Model versus the National TOMs
To help you understand the differences, we will explore each model in detail. Give you the history behind them and why procurers use different frameworks and offer some practical ideas to help you prepare social value answers for both models.
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The Social Value Model: What Buyers Must Do and What Suppliers Should Watch For
Discover the ‘four golden rules’ Public Sector Buyers must follow under the UK Social Value Model, and what every supplier needs to do to stay compliant and competitive.