Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Public Procurement: Reform

Thursday 23 January 2025 · 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

  • Ministerial Questions on Public Procurement: Reform took place on 2025-01-23
  • Jayne Kirkham highlighted opportunities for growth and local supply chains through procurement in Cornwall
  • Richard Holden raised concerns about the Office for Value for Money and its impact on public reform commitments

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jayne Kirkham Labour (Co-op) Truro and Falmouth
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The MP is pleased with the upcoming national procurement policy statement and highlights opportunities for economic growth in Cornwall through public procurement.

Question

I am so pleased to hear about the national procurement policy statement next month. As well as encouraging buying British, there are huge opportunities to use procurement to encourage growth and local supply chains, such as in floating offshore wind in Cornwall, as well as in other industries. Will the Minister confirm that there will be a bold procurement policy that will ensure economic growth in every corner of our country, even as far down as Cornwall?

Answer from Georgia Gould (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office)

Yesterday, I had a conversation with my hon. Friend who explained the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises for growth in Truro and Falmouth. Many small businesses have expressed that it can be too complex and slow to bid for Government contracts, sometimes coming out too late or preventing them from getting on the playing field. We have listened carefully to these concerns, and we will bring forward an NPPS that delivers for SMEs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not confirm a bold procurement policy specifically for economic growth in Cornwall, but addressed general issues faced by SMEs.

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Q2 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Economy Taxation
Context

The Treasury Committee has raised concerns about the Office for Value for Money, citing issues around its remit, cost, cross-Government duplication.

Question

Unbelievably, the Treasury Committee has already raised concerns about the Office for Value for Money, citing issues around its remit, cost, cross-Government duplication and more. Does the Minister agree with the financial markets which do not believe this Government’s commitment to reforming public procurement or prudent financial management, costing taxpayers an extra £10 billion a year?

Answer from Georgia Gould (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office)

Yesterday, the National Audit Office published a report on the nearly £50 billion gap in building maintenance left by the previous Labour government. The legacy of 15 years of lost wage growth and stalled productivity means we inherited crumbling buildings. In contrast, this Government has invested over £63 billion at the UK investment summit and is leading the way on artificial intelligence. Growth predictions for our economy have been upgraded to the fastest in Europe by the International Monetary Fund.

Not addressed: The Minister did not address concerns about the Office for Value for Money or financial markets' views, instead highlighting government achievements and criticizing the previous administration.

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