Context
The restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster is a major UK project. The hon. Member wants to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises from across the country benefit.
Question
I am grateful for that answer. It is absolutely right that local contractors across the United Kingdom should be able to take part in this historic project. In my constituency we have businesses such as Hutton Stone, which provides a full stone masonry service and has some of the country’s finest stone carvers. Can we ensure that the process for bidding to take part in the restoration work is designed so as not to preclude contractors based further away from London, in order to maximise participation, and what else can we do to ensure that this process is used to upskill our workforce?
Answer from Nick Smith
These works are already boosting our UK industries. The programme will create jobs and apprenticeships with better skills across the country, from engineering and high-tech design to traditional crafts such as carpentry and stone masonry. The restoration and renewal team have visited Inverness castle, the Glasgow School of Art, the Scottish Parliament and the Engine Shed in Stirling to promote these works across the country, and to bring forward and encourage the skills mentioned.
Not addressed: Did not address how bidding processes are designed to avoid precluding contractors from far away London specifically
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