Government Procurement British Companies
2026-04-23
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about the adequacy of current procurement rules in supporting British businesses. There is a need to simplify and open up the system for SMEs, start-ups, and charities.
What steps he is taking to increase levels of procurement from British companies through Government contracts?
This Government do not believe that our procurement rules do enough to back British businesses. That is why I have announced steps to address that, and to simplify and open up the system to small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups and charities. We will issue new guidance shortly to ensure that the procurement regime always serves the national interest.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures or timelines for increasing procurement from British companies were not provided.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
GE Vernova in the constituency of Stafford is creating new jobs and the questioner believes these companies should be prioritised when competing for Government contracts.
Happy St George's day, Mr Speaker. GE Vernova, in my constituency of Stafford, Eccleshall and the villages, is creating 40 400 new jobs to add to the 1,400 people it already employs. I believe that companies like this, which are already backing Britain by investing here, should be given more consideration when they are competing for Government contracts. Can the Minister assure me that when UK Government money is being spent, particularly in industries that are key to our national security such as energy, we will prioritise those companies already investing in British manufacturing, British skills and British jobs?
My hon. Friend is spot on, and I thank her for championing her local business while making a bigger point about how we need to support British jobs more widely. We have set out what we are going to do in four sectors, including energy infrastructure, but I agree that we need to go further and look at what more we can do in particular to support our manufacturing industry, and hopefully we will keep working to do that.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific assurances or commitments about prioritising companies already investing in British manufacturing were not provided
Response accuracy