THE Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has announced its commitment to Social Enterprise Scotland’s Buy Social Pledge.
The Buy Social Pledge brings together corporate businesses, SMEs, academic institutions, and public sector bodies looking to make a commitment to bring social enterprises into their supply chains.
SPS explained that the commitment aligns with its ongoing efforts to promote social responsibility and rehabilitation within Scotland’s prison system, including providing prisoners with skills and opportunities that help them reintegrate into society upon release.
The executive agency of the Scottish Government joins other early adopters of the initiative including Balfour Beatty, City Building (Glasgow), Morrison Construction, Edinburgh Napier University, and Glasgow City Council.
The pledge sees organisations commit to the five key actions of:
- Recognise fair work for all –champion fair work principles, prioritise real living wages; narrow the gender pay gap; foster equality, diversity, and inclusion; and eradicate zero-hour contracts
- Environmental impact for a sustainable tomorrow – embrace a net zero policy
- Support Social Enterprises – onboard and promote social enterprises within their supply chains, helping to foster an ecosystem that nurtures and supports these invaluable organisations, amplifying their positive impact.
- Prompt payment, ethical business – organisations will commit to prompt payment, resulting in ethical business relationships.
- Measure positive impact – Commit transparency and accountability by reporting annual spend with social enterprises.
Andy Door, head of procurement at the Scottish Prison Service, said, “SPS are delighted to sign up to the Buy Social Pledge, reaffirming our support for social enterprises and, in turn, supporting Scotland’s communities. We will continue to promote the use of social enterprises through our procurement activity, and by encouraging our suppliers and contractors to engage with social enterprises in their own supply chains.”
Jamie Lawson, strategic partnerships and engagement manager at Social Enterprise Scotland, added, “We are delighted that the Scottish Prison Service has joined the Buy Social Pledge. Their commitment to supporting social enterprises sends a strong message about the importance of using public sector procurement to create a fairer, more sustainable economy.
“By embedding social value into their purchasing decisions, the SPS is helping to drive transformative change, and we look forward to working closely with them on this journey.”
By supporting social enterprises, the SPS is not only addressing the needs of its own operations but is also helping to support vital services that address key issues such as unemployment, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.”
