Chris White MP has been appointed the Government's first official social value ambassador, tasked with promoting the Social Value Act in councils.

The MP for Warwick and Leamington will be working with local authorities and the voluntary sector to improve the social, environmental and economic impact of public service contracts.

The Public Services (Social Value) Act, which White was instrumental in pushing through parliament earlier this year, opens up opportunities for social enterprises to deliver public services by ensuring council commissioners consider the social impact of public services contracts before procurement.

Mr White said: ‘I am delighted to be appointed as the new Social Value Ambassador, and I look forward to championing this important Act and the principles behind it.

‘I look forward to working with stakeholders in local government and the public sector as well as engaging with civil society organisations and social enterprises on the ground to see how we can make sure that this Act reaches its full potential.'

Minister for civil society, Nick Hurd, said: ‘White has played a pivotal role in developing the ground-breaking Social Value Act. His vision has helped ensure that public sector contracts will deliver maximum value to our communities and that taxpayer's money is spent as efficiently and effectively as possible on public services.'