Public Contracts Trade Union Recognition 2025-12-04
2025-12-04
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Bidfood, with public contracts across the UK, has ended its long-standing trade union recognition deal. The workers are now facing potential fire and rehire practices.
I refer to my entry on the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. Bidfood, which has public contracts with the Army, prisons and schools across the UK, has torn up a long-standing recognition deal with GMB and Unite, leaving workers open to fire and rehire. Does the Minister agree that public contracts should go only to businesses that recognise and work constructively with trade unions?
I personally think all businesses should recognise and work with trade unions. Our social value model, which we are reforming and will shortly strengthen, allows contracting authorities to consider the economic and social impact and reputation of bidders. Of course, the Employment Rights Bill—the biggest upgrade in workers’ rights in a generation—will end the scandal of fire and rehire.
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Assessment & feedback
The minister did not explicitly commit to awarding public contracts exclusively to businesses that recognise trade unions.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The previous Government made progress on buying British through the Procurement Act 2023.
On determining awards for public contracts, what steps are being taken to prioritise UK firms in public procurement, especially for the provision of vital equipment, like personal protective equipment, in our NHS?
We are going to bring forward plans, hopefully in the next Session, to reform procurement rules. A big part of that, as the Chancellor has said many times, is to help people to buy British more, and to support local jobs and economies around the country. Despite all their other failings, the previous Government did make some progress on this matter through the Procurement Act 2023, and we will build on that in the next Session.
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Assessment & feedback
The minister provided a general commitment without specific actions or timelines for prioritising UK firms in public procurement.
Response accuracy