Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Public Procurement: Value for Money

Thursday 25 July 2024 · 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 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government have launched a fraud commissioner to address past procurement issues.
  • Public procurement aims to support good jobs and economic growth through Labour councils' initiatives.
  • Contracts will be awarded based on cost-effectiveness and public benefit, with protections against misuse.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sonia Kumar Lab Dudley
NHS Taxation
Context

The question arises from concerns about value for money and effective use of public funds in procurement processes.

Question

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?

Answer from Georgia Gould

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not outline specific steps or mechanisms directly addressing value for money in procurement

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Q2 Joe Powell Lab Kensington and Bayswater
Economy Employment Business & Trade
Context

Concerns about the effective implementation of the Procurement Act to drive economic growth and social benefits.

Question

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?

Answer from Georgia Gould

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps for implementation of the Procurement Act

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Q3 Kirith Entwistle Lab Bolton North East
Environment
Context

Concerns about ensuring contracts are awarded based on cost-effectiveness and public interest, not crony relationships.

Question

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?

Answer from Georgia Gould

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific reassurances on avoiding cronyism in contract awarding

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Q4 Sonia Kumar Lab Dudley
Taxation Standards & Ethics
Context

Witnessed wasted resources due to crony contracts during the pandemic, seeking steps to avoid such waste in future.

Question

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?

Answer from Georgia Gould

Launched a fraud commissioner, set out commitment to driving down fraud. Learning lessons from the work of the covid commissioner who reports to Parliament.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not outline specific tangible steps directly addressing procurement wastage

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Q5 Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton
Economy Environment
Context

Concerns about ensuring public procurement considers environmental and social factors alongside value for money.

Question

Constituents care about quality as much as value. Does the Minister agree we must ensure public procurement considers environmental and social factors?

Answer from Georgia Gould

Value for money is critical but also need to deliver good growth with social value including workforce standards and environmental standards.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly agree on considering all factors, only mentioned some aspects

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