Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Public Procurement

Thursday 2 February 2023 · 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 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Procurement Bill is being considered in Committee and aims to simplify procurement processes for SMEs and social enterprises.
  • The Cabinet Office is producing comprehensive guidance and training for contracting authorities to support commercial best practice.
  • The Procurement Bill includes provisions to help SMEs bid for public sector contracts and introduces transparency measures.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Duncan Baker
Economy Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

Discussions about the Procurement Bill's effects on economic growth and innovation are ongoing.

Question

What recent discussions have been had with relevant stakeholders regarding the potential impact of the Procurement Bill on (a) economic growth and (b) innovation?

Answer from Alex Burghart

The Procurement Bill is being considered in Committee. It aims to simplify procurement processes, making it easier for SMEs and social enterprises to win public sector contracts. The Cabinet Office has engaged with hundreds of organisations during the development phase.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details about discussions or impact on economic growth and innovation.

How: Did Not Address Specific Asks

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Q2 Stephen Hammond Con
Context

There is a history of mixed success in procurement and contract management for major UK projects.

Question

How will the Procurement Bill embed external expertise in the procurement process and IT productivity systems in the contract management process?

Answer from Alex Burghart

The Cabinet Office is producing comprehensive guidance and training for contracting authorities. This includes sharing best practices, supporting commercial best practice through various programmes like contract management capability and playbooks on sourcing and contracting.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify how external expertise will be embedded in procurement processes or IT productivity systems.

How: Did Not Address Specific Asks

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Q3 Duncan Baker
Business & Trade
Context

Residents feel disconnected from Westminster and seek local business opportunities in public procurement.

Question

How will the Procurement Bill enable businesses in North Norfolk to bid for £300 billion-worth of services procured annually by the Government?

Answer from Alex Burghart

The Bill includes a specific duty on contracting authorities to recognise SME barriers, strengthens prompt payment requirements, introduces a single digital platform for bidders, and new transparency measures benefitting SMEs.

Answered
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Q4 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Business & Trade Local Government
Context

Contracting local companies like Wrightbus can expand the economy.

Question

What steps will the Cabinet Office take to prioritise domestic contracts within the UK and devolved Assemblies?

Answer from Alex Burghart

The Bill introduces provisions for contracting authorities to publish their pipeline and advance notices of procurement, enabling businesses to prepare for local contracts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify steps taken by the Cabinet Office to prioritise domestic contracts.

How: Did Not Address Specific Asks

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Q5 Florence Eshalomi Labour (Co-op) Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Standards & Ethics
Context

Amendment proposed to ensure transparency in direct award recommendations.

Question

Will the Minister support an amendment ensuring Ministers, peers or senior civil servants must declare private interests when recommending suppliers under direct award?

Answer from Alex Burghart

Transparency is a key element of the new procurement regime which replaces outdated EU regulations, ensuring sunlight throughout the process from start to finish.

Not addressed: Did not directly address supporting or opposing the amendment for declaring private interests in direct award recommendations.

How: Changed Subject

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