AQW 14435/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 04/09/2024
Answered On Date: 18/09/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities whether all contracts, tenders or grants issued directly by his Department, or on behalf of his Department through an arm’s length body or non departmental public body, includes provision to enable mental health support to be provided for frontline workers delivering services in the community.

Answer:

All tenders and contracts above threshold (£138,760 inc. VAT), issued by my Department or by its Associated Bodies comply with PPN 01/21 - Scoring Social Value.

Since 1st September 2021 this includes a mandatory requirement for suppliers to adopt fair work practices, which should include specifically 'health, safety and psychosocial wellbeing'.

Additionally, there is a Supplier Code of Conduct which requires all contracted Suppliers of services to Government to confirm acceptance of the code. This includes the following provision: Provide a safe and healthy workplace for their employees.

All contract awards above £30,000 are managed by Construction and Procurement Delivery (CPD) and they are responsible for development of standard NICS contract terms.

The Policy does not mandate inclusion of Social Values in Grant awards.