Debate contribution: Social Value

Debate contribution by Mr Stewart Dickson on 3 February 2026.

MLA: Mr Stewart Dickson
Party at the time: Alliance Party
Date: 3 February 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Social Value
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5362695

Text

Thank you, Minister, for your comprehensive response; it is greatly valued. Do you agree that, in the absence of a statutory duty on public authorities to consider social value in their spending decisions, the current policy-based approach risks inconsistency and could be changed at ministerial direction? Will you consider supporting legislation that would place such a duty alongside a duty on your Department to provide guidance and training on a statutory footing?

72 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Oral question AQO 3040/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

This is the same MLA’s follow-up within the exchange on their own question. It is analysed together with that question and is not counted separately, so one question is never counted twice.

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