Public Procurement Value for Money 2024-07-25
2024-07-25
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about value for money and effective use of public funds in procurement processes.
What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure value for money in public procurement. As an NHS physiotherapist who witnessed crony contracts during the pandemic, I saw wasted resources. Will the Minister outline what tangible steps the Government are taking to avoid such waste and reassure Dudley constituents that taxpayer money will be taken seriously?
The Government have launched a fraud commissioner to look at past issues. The VIP lanes and crony contracts cannot happen again. A new digital centre of Government will drive the uptake of new digital technologies, protect against misuse, learn lessons from the work of the covid commissioner who reports to Parliament.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not outline specific steps or mechanisms directly addressing value for money in procurement
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about the effective implementation of the Procurement Act to drive economic growth and social benefits.
As value for money is fundamental, procurement can also be used strategically. What steps will the Government take to up the ambition in implementing the Procurement Act 2023, ensuring data, skills, and digital tools are in place?
Public procurement is a key lever for delivering social value. It aims to support good jobs and grow the economy through Labour councils' strides. The Government's plan to make work pay sets out an ambitious programme valuing organisations that create local jobs, skills, and wealth.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps for implementation of the Procurement Act
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about ensuring contracts are awarded based on cost-effectiveness and public interest, not crony relationships.
The Government have prioritised tackling waste. Can the Minister reassure constituents that contracts will be awarded based on what is most cost-effective and better for the public purse?
Launched a fraud commissioner to look at past issues. The VIP lanes and crony contracts cannot happen again. New digital centre of Government will protect against misuse, learn lessons from the work of the covid commissioner who reports to Parliament.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific reassurances on avoiding cronyism in contract awarding
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Witnessed wasted resources due to crony contracts during the pandemic, seeking steps to avoid such waste in future.
During the pandemic, I witnessed wasted resources from crony contracts. Will the Minister outline tangible steps to avoid similar waste and reassure constituents that taxpayer money will be taken seriously?
Launched a fraud commissioner, set out commitment to driving down fraud. Learning lessons from the work of the covid commissioner who reports to Parliament.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not outline specific tangible steps directly addressing procurement wastage
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about ensuring public procurement considers environmental and social factors alongside value for money.
Constituents care about quality as much as value. Does the Minister agree we must ensure public procurement considers environmental and social factors?
Value for money is critical but also need to deliver good growth with social value including workforce standards and environmental standards.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not explicitly agree on considering all factors, only mentioned some aspects
Response accuracy