Sustainable procurement

This section looks at how the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) incorporates its sustainable development policies into its procurement activities. It is designed to give suppliers an idea of how these policies influence the contract letting and contract management processes of the DWP.

As part of the contract letting and management process, DWPs commercial representatives will ask current and potential suppliers about sustainability in the delivery of contracts, including their supply chain. The Department wants to be confident that equality and diversity, equal opportunity, fair pay and good employment practice exist throughout the supply line. This is because the activities of any organisation, however large or small, can contribute to meeting our targets and objectives.

Contact the Sustainable Procurement Team

The DWP has a dedicated Sustainable Procurement Team, providing advice in all aspects of sustainable procurement in the department. Feedback and suggestions are welcomed from current and prospective suppliers of both goods and services.

Contact the Sustainable Procurement Team, Hayley Addison and Dave Blackburn, by email.

Background

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is highly regarded in Government as an active proponent of sustainable procurement best practice. DWPs commercial function has endorsed social and environmental concerns as a single agenda.

DWP supports the most vulnerable in society, working to reduce child and pensioner poverty, helping those who can work to do so, and ensuring people with disabilities can play their full part. To support its aims the Department seeks to promote economic growth, tackle poverty and social exclusion, and minimise its own environmental impact. These objectives align with and fully support the UK Strategy for Sustainable Development - Securing the future (this link will take you to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

Our goal is to incorporate sustainable development into our thinking and our actions. DWP is making progress towards achieving this goal. The DWP Sustainable Procurement Strategy is key to ensuring that we specify sustainable goods and services wherever possible, and encourage best sustainable practice throughout our supply chains. If DWP is to fully meet its responsibilities and match the Governments commitment and targets for sustainable development then we need to deliver, and we are looking to our suppliers and providers to help us achieve more.