Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Public Contract Bids: SMEs

Thursday 16 March 2023 · 2 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government is committed to supporting SMEs in bidding for public contracts.
  • Analysis shows big corporations win 90% of contracts suitable for smaller businesses, worth 30 billion annually.
  • Procurement Bill aims to help SMEs by simplifying bidding processes and will reach Report stage post-Easter break.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Business & Trade
Context

The question is prompted by the need to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) bidding for public contracts. The Government's commitment to transparency and simplification of procurement processes is highlighted.

Question

What steps the Government are taking to support small and medium-sized enterprises bidding for public contracts.

Answer from Alex Burghart

I am delighted to tell the House that the Government are absolutely committed to supporting SMEs in a variety of ways, from transparently publishing contract pipelines to simplifying bidding processes. The Procurement Bill currently making its way through Parliament will create a simpler and more transparent procurement regime that will open up further business to SMEs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific steps taken by the government to ensure SMEs win contracts suitable for them were not detailed.

How: We Are Committed To Supporting Smes

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Q2 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Business & Trade
Context

Analysis by Spend Network found that large corporations are still winning the majority of contracts deemed suitable for smaller businesses. These contracts are worth £30 billion annually.

Question

Analysis by Spend Network found that big corporations were still winning 90% of contracts deemed suitable for smaller businesses. These are worth £30 billion per annum. Will the Minister outline what the Government are doing to ensure that SMEs win procurement contracts that they are suited for?

Answer from Alex Burghart

The hon. Gentleman will be delighted to hear about the Procurement Bill currently making its way through Parliament. It will come to Report stage after the Easter break. It will help SMEs across the country, including in his constituency and mine, because we have worked hand in glove with the Welsh Government to make sure that the new procurement rules are available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. I am pleased to say that that is possible only because we left the EU.

Not addressed: The specific measures to ensure SMEs win suitable contracts were not addressed.

How: We Are Working Hand In Glove With Welsh Government, Leaving The Eu

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