Procurement Policy 2025 to 2029 - including the Social Value statement - Equality and diversity

There is a mandatory legal duty through the 2010 Equality Act to actively tackle discrimination and promote equality and diversity through equality of opportunity, good relations and positive attitudes; and eliminating harassment and unlawful discrimination.

We have ensured that the promotion of equality of opportunity is incorporated into our procurement process, evaluations and decision-making processes. Our procedures ensure openness, fairness and transparency and decisions are made objectively and impartially (with conflicts of interest having to be declared).

We expect our suppliers and supply chain to follow best practice and adhere to the principles of no discrimination regarding:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage and civil partnership
• pregnancy and maternity
• race
• religion or belief
• sex or sexual orientation

We will proactively tackle inequalities and discrimination if they found in our supply chain. We also have to think wider and build equality in our tendering, to consider the supplier market and ensure that SME’s and VCSE’s are considered and tenders let appropriately.