How to align your business to the Labour Five Missions with the TOM System™

The UK Government has clearly signalled its desire to drive more Social Value through public procurement. A prime example is Labour’s ‘Five Missions’, which align closely with Social Value objectives:

1. Kickstart economic growth
2. Make Britain a clean energy superpower 
3. Take back our streets 
4. Break down barriers to opportunity 
5. Build an NHS fit for the future

The Social Value TOM System™ (Themes, Outcomes, and Measures) is widely used by procuring authorities and businesses to quantify impact. Beyond measuring, however, it provides a set of actions – or Measures – that organisations can use to create measurable, positive change.

Here’s a breakdown of actionable ways to align your Social Value initiatives with each of Labour’s Mission and drive positive outcomes for communities. 

Mission 1: Kickstart economic growth 

The Government aims for sustained growth powered by quality jobs and increased productivity. Here are some TOM System Measures that foster local business growth, job creation, and improved working conditions, especially for enterprises facing barriers to opportunity.  

• Employ and retain local people, including within your supply chain 

• Host employers fairs to support local employment and hold ‘Meet the buyer’ events to promote local suppliers 

• Prioritise local companies in procurement – especially local small and medium, ethnic minority-owned, and women-owned ones 

• Provide expert support to Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) and Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) 

• Ensure timely payment to suppliers, within 30 days 

• Work with suppliers that are Real Living Wage employers 

• Support union recognition and collective bargaining, and promote Good and Fair Work charters 

• Aid initiatives that combat modern slavery in the supply chain 

💡 Learn: Place-based Social Value & the County Durham Pound  

Mission 2: Make Britain a clean energy superpower 

With an escalating climate crisis, the Government seeks zero-carbon electricity by 2030 and eventual net zero emissions – all while reducing costs and creating new jobs. These actions will help you mitigate your environmental impact and bring workers along on the journey.  

• Commit to net zero emissions by 2030, while retraining workers for a ‘just transition’ to a low-carbon economy 

• Provide carbon reduction and circular economy guidance to SMEs and VCSEs in your supply chain 

• Integrate sustainable procurement commitments into contracts 

• Promote initiatives that safeguard the environment, supporting green spaces, biodiversity or ecosystems 

• Spend within local circular economy partnerships 

• Reduce CO2e emissions (scope 1, 2, and 3) through decarbonisation efforts 

💡 Learn: Taking Social Value from good to great at Equans 

Mission 3: Take back our streets  

Reducing serious violent crime by half and improving public trust in the police and criminal justice system are core government goals. Stronger, more cohesive communities with opportunities will be key to this – here are some ways to make it happen: 

• Support community initiatives aimed at reducing crime 

• Contribute volunteering time or donations to local community projects and charities 

• Invest in local health and wellbeing projects and interventions 

• Support local community charters, stakeholder plans, and cultural events 

• Help address homelessness and rough sleeping 

• Strengthen community networks and resilience  

• Enhance local skills and employment opportunities  

• Recruit NEET individuals (Not in Education Employment or Training) and unemployed care leavers 

💡 Learn: Rotherham’s Social Value transformation 

Mission 4: Break down barriers to opportunity 

This mission, centred on reforming education and childcare, aims to eliminate barriers to opportunity for young people. Many actions from the other missions contribute here, but below you can find even more specific measures that open doors for those facing employment barriers. 

• Create meaningful paid work placements that meet or exceed the Real Living Wage  

• Provide digital and financial literacy support  

• Partner with local educational institutions and contribute to curriculum development 

• Hold employment taster days  

• Hire women and members of ethnic minority groups, especially into leadership positions  

• Hire people experiencing barriers to work (such as NEET individuals, homeless people, survivors of modern slavery, care leavers, ex-offenders aged 18 and over recruited, and those with disabilities) 

• Provide Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training, and gender equity programmes 

💡 Learn: Fighting homelessness with STAR Procurement and Depaul UK 

Mission 5: Build an NHS fit for the future 

The vision is for a healthcare system that’s accessible, effective, and equitable, helping people live healthier lives. Even if you don’t work in healthcare, here’s how you can support this mission and make a difference. 

• Support local health and wellbeing interventions, as well as charity and community projects promoting positive health outcomes 

• Implement multidimensional wellbeing programmes and mental health awareness campaigns for staff 

• Help tackle for common mental health issues 

• Work with suppliers implementing relevant mental health standards 

💡 Learn: How Roche Diagnostics is creating generational change in healthcare  

Be part of the solution 

It’s great to see the Government using procurement as a force for good. The next step is action, and we all have a role to play. Get started with these resources: 

• Bidders to the public sector: Check out our Win more Work guide 

• Public sector buyers: Explore our Power-up your Procurement guide