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UK to double job-creation scoring for public contracts
The Cabinet Office said the weighting for job creation will rise to 20% from 10% on contracts worth at least £5 million, as the government targets youth unemployment.
The UK government plans to overhaul how firms are scored when bidding for public contracts, placing greater emphasis on job creation to help address a youth unemployment crisis.
According to BBC Business, under the new rules the weighting for social benefits tied to bidders will be doubled for contracts worth £5 million or more, increasing from 10% to 20% and shifting the measure toward creating jobs rather than meeting other green and social targets. The government also plans to award extra credit for local roles that pay above the minimum wage, training to fill skills gaps, and 45-day work experience placements for young people.
The changes are intended to support more people into work, with the Office for National Statistics showing more than a million people aged 16 to 24 are currently not in education, employment or training. The new model will apply to both UK and international firms competing for government contracts.
Green groups criticized the approach, arguing that prioritizing youth employment should not come at the expense of environmental protections. BBC Business reports that officials said companies winning government work have a responsibility to give back through local jobs and opportunities for young people.