British Products Public Procurement Bill - Proposed amendments to encourage the uptake of British products in UK Government contracts

Offers the opportunity for a meeting with officials to discuss potential amendments or improvements to the Bill. Recognises common ground between Government and proposed policy intent.

Commends Sarah Champion's support of his initiative for 'Buy British' buttons on supermarket websites, calls for wider adoption. Acknowledges the role of public institutions in influencing consumer choice when it comes to procurement.

Supports the importance of Champion's Bill progressing now, even as measures from a recent Procurement Bill have not yet come into force. Suggests the reporting requirement under the Bill would apply pressure to ensure that choices made on behalf of consumers are in line with British values.

Highlights the high costs involved for smaller companies when tendering for public contracts, which can be detrimental if they do not win. Emphasises the need to address this issue.

Praises Champion's points and inquires about why the Government have allowed many procurements to foreign suppliers over British SMEs. Supports transparency measures.

Congratulates the hon. Member for Rotherham on her Bill, which supports British business and encourages embracing support for expanding British business. Supports the intention to help small and medium-sized enterprises but calls for progress with measures in the Procurement Act 2023.

Supports the Bill as a step towards developing measures that evaluate social value in contracts. Criticises current procurement processes and advocates for more focus on British procurement to improve local economies, job standards, and environmental protection.

Supports the Bill as a means to reform the procurement system in favour of British businesses. Points out that small and medium-sized enterprises are being sidelined by foreign suppliers under the current Government.

Supports community wealth building and increasing local procurement spend to address austerity impacts. Cites Newham's general fund cut by 18% while population increased by 16%. Emphasises the importance of long-term resilience and inclusive economy through locally rooted institutions like councils, schools, police, universities, health boards, and housing associations. Highlights initiatives such as a living wage zone in Royal Docks with over 100 local employers signed up to pay £13.15 an hour. Encourages businesses to take various steps towards community wealth building including buying local and reducing carbon footprints.

Congratulates Sarah Champion on her Bill for small and medium-sized enterprises. Acknowledges shocking facts showing SMEs missing out to foreign suppliers or big multinationals manufacturing abroad across various industries. Emphasises procurement policy can support British businesses by using social, environmental, and labour clauses in contract design. Criticises the Government's Procurement Act 2023 for allowing wasteful emergency contracting rules that favour Tory friends/donors over local skilled businesses.

Raised a point of order about Labour Members allegedly preventing discussion of the next Bill, denying Conservative Members' claim of 'talking out'.

Disputed Richard Fuller's point of order, stating it is not a valid point for the Chair and noting Nia Griffith was speaking from the Opposition Front Bench.