Government to prioritise job creation in awarding public contracts under new rules
The UK government is overhauling its £90bn public procurement system to prioritize job creation and local skills development over previous social and environmental targets. Bidders for large contracts will now be evaluated more heavily on their ability to provide work experience and training for young people.
Why it matters
This policy shift signals a major change in how taxpayer money is used to influence the labor market, though it faces criticism for potentially sidelining environmental goals.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Companies bidding for public contracts will have to show how they will create regional jobs
Andy Burnham will tell firms bidding for public contracts to prove they are creating jobs rather than meeting green and social targets in a bid to get more people into work.
The prime minister will overhaul the £90bn public procurement system so bidders have to show they are supporting young people into work and addressing local skills shortages.
It comes as the government seeks to tackle the youth unemployment crisis , with Burnham saying he wants to create "growth in every postcode".
But green groups criticised the plans, arguing supporting young people into work should not come at the expense of the environment.
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