Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Government Use of Consultants

Thursday 12 November 2020 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government uses private sector consultants for PPE procurement and virtual courts service during the covid-19 outbreak.
  • National Audit Office will conduct an external review of 4 billion-worth of covid-related contracts awarded to private companies.
  • Government defends daily consultant fees of up to 7,000 for test and trace, citing speed of procurement and internal and external audits.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
NHS Employment Business Compliance
Context

The MP raises concerns about the effectiveness of government outsourcing, citing instances where private companies were contracted to provide services such as PPE procurement and virtual court operations.

Question

I am concerned about the effectiveness of Government outsourcing during the covid-19 outbreak. What assessment has he made?

Answer from Julia Lopez

Working effectively with the private sector is vital for our response to tackling the covid-19 crisis, allowing us to procure quickly and innovatively. We have turned to the private sector for PPE procurement and virtual courts service. Contracting authorities must use good commercial judgment and continue to achieve value for money for taxpayers. Through “The Outsourcing Playbook” we are improving decision making and quality of contracts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific assessment of effectiveness or address all aspects of outsourcing

How: We Are Clear Throughout That Contracting Authorities Must Use Good Commercial Judgment

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Q2 Kate Hollern Lab
Taxation
Context

The MP points out the government's failure to publish details about £4 billion worth of COVID-19 related contracts, suggesting a breach of law and calling for an independent inquiry.

Question

The Government failed to publish any information on £4 billion-worth of covid-related contracts awarded to private companies. Will he hold an independent inquiry—and if not, why?

Answer from Julia Lopez

I am unaware of the details of the allegations but would be grateful if she wrote to me. The National Audit Office will conduct an external review and we are also doing our own internal review to satisfy ourselves that there is no basis for these criticisms.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to holding an independent inquiry

How: I Am Unaware Of The Details, Would Be Grateful If She Wrote To Me

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Q3 Tan Dhesi Lab Slough
NHS
Context

The MP raises concerns about the payment of high fees to consultants involved in test and trace efforts, citing examples of contracts awarded without appropriate scrutiny.

Question

Taxpayers' money has been spent on costly consultants. Consultants are paid up to £7,000 a day for test and trace, which is a failure. Does the Minister think it is right?

Answer from Julia Lopez

We wish to reassure the public through external and internal audits. We were advised by Labour that we should be looking into various companies but found no basis for those leads. We were trying to procure at speed and have confidence in PPE contracts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address whether paying consultants up to £7,000 a day is appropriate

How: We Wish To Reassure The Public, Found No Basis For Those Leads

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Q4 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Context

The MP questions the role of private companies like Deloitte in establishing testing facilities, highlighting inefficiencies and questioning Public Health England's lack of involvement.

Question

Some agencies chosen for procurement are not fit for purpose. Why was Public Health England not more involved in setting up a testing centre in south Leamington?

Answer from Julia Lopez

There is some naivety from Labour Members about how easy these operations are at speed. We have to thank the private sector for support in this difficult time. Public sector workers may be sucked out of other important frontline services.

Not addressed: Avoided addressing involvement of public health bodies and questioned Labour's understanding instead

How: There Is Some Naivety From Labour Members, We Have To Thank The Private Sector

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Q5 Helen Hayes Lab Dulwich and West Norwood
Standards & Ethics
Context

The MP points out that £1.04 billion of government contracts were directly awarded to companies with links to the Conservative Party's donors during the pandemic, questioning integrity.

Question

£1,040,585,807 is the value of Government contracts awarded without competitive tender to firms linked to Conservative party friends or donors. Why does it seem all cheques and no balances?

Answer from Julia Lopez

The hon. Lady makes a serious insinuation about some of the ways in which contracts were let. We have external and internal audits to investigate allegations and ensure they are baseless.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address why these contracts were awarded without competitive tender

How: The Hon. Lady Makes A Serious Insinuation, We Have External And Internal Audits

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