Milton Keynes Council's 'More for MK' scheme nears end of first year with millions of pounds being spent locally

The Progressive Alliance says millions of pounds are now being spent locally thanks to the Council’s More for MK procurement scheme.

The Progressive Alliance introduced its ‘More for MK’ scheme last year, a plan that enables the Council to award more contracts to local suppliers and to work with more local partners.

As part of the ‘More for MK’ scheme, MK Council works with local partners and businesses to try and capture more spending locally by using more local and smaller businesses in its supply chain, prioritising companies that pay the real living wage and employ local people.

Over the last year, Milton Keynes Council’s procurement team has been engaging with projects to promote the scheme.

MK Council is now releasing information on some of the recent More for MK success stories, which include:

• Extension and adaptation of Fairfield Primary School

Wilmott Dixon spent £1.17m within 20 miles of the site, 90 hours were dedicated to supporting young people into work, and 100% of spend went to SMEs.

• Wilmott Dixon has estimated a £5.2m social return on investment from its work across MK.
• Construction of Wavendon Pavilion

Borras Construction asked learners from MK Snap to design and paint a section of the hoarding around the site. They also offered tours and talks to construction students at MK College, and pledged to donate any unused materials to local charities and MK College.

• Ringway has hired three apprentices and five graduates, and they will continue to invest in and support local people and local companies.

Milton Keynes Council is also planning for major projects such as the regeneration of the Lakes Estate, to include More for MK within the project's requirements.

Councillor Rob Middleton, Labour Progressive Alliance Cabinet Member for Resources, announced the scheme in 2021:  “MK Council spends around £300m annually on buying products and commissioning services, and More for MK considers the positive impact that even a fraction of this can have on building social value and community wealth.

"I’m pleased that our partners are engaging with the scheme, and we have seen really positive progress in the past year. This is something that will only improve moving forward.”