Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Personal Protective Equipment Contracts

Thursday 5 March 2026 · 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial support exists for the inclusive PPE standard BS 30417.
  • Government commercial teams report increased provision of inclusive PPE in major projects.
  • The Government acknowledges the importance of fit-to-form PPE for the expanding workforce.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kirsteen Sullivan Labour (Co-op) Bathgate and Linlithgow
Employment
Context

Kirsteen Sullivan is concerned about the adoption of the inclusive PPE standard BS 30417 in government procurement contracts.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to encourage the adoption of the inclusive personal protective equipment standard BS 30417 in Government procurement contracts.

Answer from Chris Ward

The Government strongly support inclusive PPE for all workers and welcome the new British Standards Institution standard. Central Government commercial teams have seen increased provision of inclusive PPE across major programmes and projects. I know how seriously my hon. Friend takes this issue; so do the Government, and I hope to meet with her soon to discuss it further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps being taken to encourage adoption of BS 30417 are not detailed.

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Q2 Kirsteen Sullivan Labour (Co-op) Bathgate and Linlithgow
NHS Employment
Context

Kirsteen Sullivan reiterates her concern about fit-to-form PPE being more important than ever for the expanding workforce and asks for a commitment from the Government to become an early adopter of the BS 30417 standard.

Question

With the Government on a mission to build 1.5 million new homes and invest billions in upgrading critical infrastructure, fit-to-form PPE is more important than ever for the expanding workforce. The Government have an opportunity to embrace BS 30417 and use the state's substantial purchasing power to increase employee safety through inclusive PPE for all. Will the Government commit to becoming an early adopter of the standard and lead industry by example?

Answer from Chris Ward

My hon. Friend is absolutely right: fit-to-form PPE is vital to protect all workers, and I agree that there is an opportunity for Government to do more here. We welcome the new standard and think it will contribute to good practice, and we will monitor how that proceeds. I understand that the BSI will present on this to the construction sector soon. My hon. Friend and I are due to meet shortly, and I look forward to discussing how we can take this forward.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to becoming an early adopter of the standard is not provided.

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