The new 20 per cent score will be based on job creation, replacing the previous set of measures, which covered areas including equality and diversity, net zero and the post-Covid recovery. Cabinet Office Minister Mark Ferguson said businesses that secure government contracts “have a responsibility to give back”. “Businesses that benefit from the billions of taxpayer pounds spent by government, will have to create more local jobs and opportunities for young people in their area,” he said. The change follows guidance issued last year urging public sector buyers to award more contracts to small businesses. For major contracts, government departments will set a key performance indicator and publish annual progress reports measuring suppliers’ performance against their commitments, the Cabinet Office said.