Thoughts From: Willmott Dixon – MEAT vs MAT: what does value look like for your organisation?
Andrew Brookes, Principal Frameworks Manager at contractor partner, Willmott Dixon,focuses on a key shift under the new Procurement Act, helping customers to redefine what value means to them across their projects.
The Procurement Act, effective from 24 February 2025, brings important changes, but there’s no need to face this transition alone. Through frameworks, including those managed by Pagabo, that are closely aligned with the key goals of the Act, we can simplify procurement processes together.
A key shift under the new Procurement Act is the move away from the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach to the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT). This change places greater emphasis on social, environmental, and quality outcomes, alongside cost. It ensures that public sector projects deliver immediate results while also contributing to long-term social, environmental, and economic benefits.
It’s an opportunity to think differently about what procurement can achieve, creating a legacy that goes beyond cost savings and delivers real, lasting impact for communities.
This change is about more than semantics – it’s about redefining how we approach value across capital programmes and development projects, from construction and refits to decarbonisation and community regeneration.
Value beyond cost
Instead of following the lowest cost bid, MAT encourages tenders to be evaluated based on what aligns best with the organisation’s specific goals:
- Social value:Things to be considered here could include how a project supports local priorities and whether it can address challenges such as unemployment and skills shortages, or improve community wellbeing.
- Environmental impact:When it comes to sustainability, value can be derived from areas such as carbon reduction, improving energy efficiency, and contributing to an organisation’s net-zero goals.
Ultimately this can create long-term savings through reduced operational and maintenance costs.
- Economic growth:A project may help to stimulate the local economy by using local suppliers, creating jobs, and attracting investment.
At its heart, MAT offers an opportunity to shape projects that truly make a difference – not just for today, but for the future.
For instance, focusing on employment opportunities can transform communities. In Stockport, aligning with the One Stockport strategy prioritised prosperity by creating jobs tailored to local needs.
How we can help
We believe in collaboration and finding solutions that work for you:
- Tailored social value initiatives: from creating local jobs to delivering community programmes, we can design high-impact initiatives that address the challenges you’re facing
- Consultative guidance: we can work with you to help you define what value means for your projects and align outcomes with your strategic goals.
- Sustainable solutions: we consider decarbonisation and circular economy principles in every project and integrate them, where suitable, to help you achieve your sustainability targets
- Collaboration and transparency: frameworks simplify procurement and foster open communication, ensuring your priorities drive every decision
Redefining value together
The Procurement Act represents an opportunity to rethink what procurement can achieve, to support community-building and long-term success.
Read more about Willmott Dixon’s perspectives on the Procurement Act here.
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