Public Procurement Reform 2024-12-05
2024-12-05
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asked about steps to reform public procurement following the passage of the Procurement Act 2023.
What steps he is taking to reform public procurement. The Procurement Act 2023 commences in February 2025, creating a simpler, more flexible procurement system underpinned by a new mission-led national procurement policy statement to ensure that public procurement delivers on the Government's missions.
I spent the last few weeks meeting small and medium-sized enterprises, voluntary and community sector organisations, wider businesses and contracting authorities to discuss how we ensure that the approximately £300 billion that is spent each year on public sector procurement delivers for our communities. With this Government, procurement will deliver value for money, better public services and our national missions.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific steps to implement the Procurement Act 2023 were not detailed
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP noted the redevelopment of Cumbernauld town centre as an example to help more small businesses bid successfully for contracts.
Will the Minister work with local authorities and the Scottish Government to help more small businesses to bid successfully for contracts, especially in relation to large projects like the redevelopment of Cumbernauld town centre?
It is critical that we open up public procurement to small businesses. £300 billion is a huge amount of public money, and SMEs are rooted in our communities providing local, often good-quality jobs. We will crack down on late payments affecting cash flow.
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Assessment & feedback
The collaboration with the Scottish Government was not addressed
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP questioned the previous Government's procurement practices, particularly during the pandemic.
Will the Minister confirm that this Government will use public spending to contract directly with local companies and economies across the country in contrast to past Conservative party actions?
We are taking action now through new procurement policies. The Chancellor announced a new covid corruption commissioner to recover public money.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to contract directly with local companies was not confirmed
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP emphasized the need for value for money and questioned inefficiencies under previous administrations.
Does the Minister agree that billions spent on public procurement must deliver value for taxpayers, and what steps are being taken to ensure efficiency?
Under our system, we need to cut waste and drive efficiency. The previous Government failed to do so during the pandemic. We aim for new transparency and a focus on fraud.
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Assessment & feedback
Concrete measures were not specified
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asked about the Government's precise target for delivering savings from the £400 billion procurement budget.
What is the Government's precise target for delivering greater savings from a £400 billion procurement budget?
£400 billion is an enormous amount of public money. We need to ensure that it goes into growth and delivers on our missions. We will provide further information in February.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific savings targets were not provided
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlighted concerns about losing talent in the start-up community to international cities.
Can the Minister confirm that steps being taken by the Government are good news for SMEs in the cyber-security sector, particularly regarding public procurement?
We need to ensure that public money supports growth and innovation. I am happy to speak with SMEs in his constituency about opportunities available.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific support for cyber-security SMEs was not detailed
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asked about steps taken to ensure better procurement measures domestically, particularly for Northern Ireland.
What steps have been taken to ensure better procurement measures domestically in the United Kingdom and the devolved nations, especially Northern Ireland?
Through our procurement regime, we support small businesses locally. We will continue to do so while respecting trade obligations.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps for Northern Ireland were not detailed
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The question stems from meetings with SMEs following the Budget, highlighting concerns about the impact of increased National Insurance contributions on indirect providers of public services such as GPs and hospices. The concern is that these impacts were not fully considered during budget planning.
I am concerned about the impact of raising national insurance on many indirect providers of public services like GPs and hospices, which was not fully factored into the Budget. Given over a month has passed since then, can you provide an estimate of how this will affect the cost of public procurement to the nearest £1 billion?
Unfortunately, the last Government left public services in crisis. Every day I saw strain on these services as people waited up to 12 hours for ambulances that sometimes did not arrive. We are taking action to invest in our public services and deliver growth through our procurement regime to support SMEs by ensuring money is not lost and suppliers are paid quickly. More details will be set out to the House in February.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific impact on public procurement costs due to increased national insurance was not addressed with a concrete estimate.
Changed Subject
General Principles
Response accuracy