Public Procurement 2022-12-08
2022-12-08
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner raises concerns about the Government's progress on enshrining public good, value for money, transparency, integrity, fair treatment of suppliers and non-discrimination as principles in law.
What progress have the Government made on enshrining in law the public good, value for money, transparency, integrity, fair treatment of suppliers and non-discrimination as principles of public procurement?
The Procurement Bill, which will be debated on Third Reading in the other place on 13 December, enacts the principles set out in the “Transforming public procurement” Green Paper. Through the combination of objectives set out in clause 12 and specific rules, we will provide clarity to contracting authorities and suppliers about how they should implement the principles.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not specify which aspects of the requested principles are being enshrined or provide details on the implementation process.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner criticises the Government for awarding billions of pounds in covid contracts through so-called VIP lanes, leading to unusable equipment. He asks for a clawback clause to prevent future misuse.
Billions of pounds in covid contracts were handed to those with links to top Tories through the so-called VIP lanes, and much of it was for equipment that was simply unusable, yet the Government's new Procurement Bill is so full of loopholes that all this could happen again. To help clamp down on this, will the Minister now back putting a new clawback clause in the Bill?
I very much look forward to debating that Bill when it comes to this place, including with the hon. Gentleman. I remind the House that the Bill gives this country the opportunity to rewrite procurement in this country, which we could not have done while we were in the European Union, making it more advantageous to our public services and our businesses, and better for the public.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer avoids addressing the specific request for a clawback clause by discussing broader benefits of the Procurement Bill.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner highlights issues with procurement during the pandemic, including unusable personal protective equipment and financial losses to taxpayers. She asks why the Procurement Bill gives more power to Ministers for direct awards.
We have seen in eye-watering detail this week the price the taxpayer pays when the Government lose control of procurement during a crisis and panic: billions spent on unusable personal protective equipment written off; millions spent on storing that PPE; and millions pocketed by greedy shell companies that failed to deliver. The Government have a responsibility to uphold basic standards and, especially in an emergency, to restore normal controls as soon as possible. Can the Minister explain why the Procurement Bill hands Ministers more power over direct awards than ever before?
The Bill sets out a new paradigm for public services to procure in this country. It will move us away from “most economically advantageous” tender to “most advantageous” tender. That means we will be able to take account of things such as transparency, social responsibility and fairness in a way that was not possible under EU legislation.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not address the specific question about increased ministerial powers for direct awards but discusses broader changes in procurement methodology.
Response accuracy