New development: Can ‘social value’ requirements on public authorities be used in procurement to increase women's participation in the UK construction industry?

Abstract

Public authorities in the UK are only starting to become aware of the requirement of the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 to consider additional economic, social and environmental benefits in the commissioning of services. This article argues, based on a pilot study of the Women into Construction project in London, that the legislation can be an additional spur to address women's under-representation in the construction industry, contributing to reducing occupational gender segregation, which is a factor in the persistent gender pay gap.

Keywords:

• Construction, occupational gender segregation
• procurement
• social value
• women

Notes

*Under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, local authorities can enter into an agreement with the developer that is attached to a planning permission, requiring contributions to offset negative impacts caused by construction and development. Such contributions can include the provision of employment opportunities and training schemes.