UK Drops Green Rules for Government Contracts, Adds Youth Hiring Requirement

The UK government buys about £90bn in goods and services each year from private companies. Those companies used to need green practices to win contracts. Now they must instead help young people get jobs. First Secretary of State Louise Haigh announced the change on August 4, 2026. Greenpeace UK and Friends of the Earth objected. A Labour source said the government expects pushback.