Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question seeks information on steps being taken to reform public procurement processes.
What steps he is taking to reform public procurement?
I am bringing forward a major package of reforms to procurement policy. This includes directing Government procurement in the national interest, ending outsourcing across Departments, and streamlining the process. Further details and new guidance will be brought forward as soon as possible.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline or full details of reforms not provided
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question highlights a correlation between political donations and government contracts, questioning the transparency and accountability of such practices.
Since 2015, companies that donated to political parties have secured £60 billion-worth of Government contracts. This highlights everything that the public dislike about politics. Does the Minister therefore agree that for the sake of transparency and accountability, it is time to break the link between big-money donors and the Governments they pay to elect?
The Government are concerned about risks mentioned. Procurement Act 2023 preserves integrity of procurement process, elections Bill tightens up regulation including ban on crypto donations.
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Assessment & feedback
Does not directly address breaking the link between big-money donors and government contracts
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the redundancy at Denby Pottery and seeks inclusion of ceramics in the British industry supercharger scheme due to public support for the #SaveDenby campaign.
Yesterday, when I asked the Minister to include ceramics in the 'back British business' procurement strategy, he said that the strategy only covers four sectors deemed vital to national security. Since then, a further 49 workers have been made redundant at Denby Pottery in my constituency. Will the Minister commit today to including ceramics within the scope of new public procurement changes before more jobs are lost?
Denby is an iconic British manufacturer, and I know the anxiety that the workforce will feel. Ceramics is not part of the original four sectors but we want to go further; I am happy to meet her to discuss this issue. Wider measures announced including changes to social value calculations will benefit ceramics sector.
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Assessment & feedback
No direct commitment to include ceramics within new procurement strategy
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP visited the Royal Mail depot in Ellesmere Port, highlighting a newly purchased van from the Stellantis factory. This visit demonstrated the potential of supporting British industries through procurement practices.
Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting the Royal Mail depot in Ellesmere Port, where I went in one of its newly purchased vans from the Stellantis factory just down the road—a perfect example of how we should be supporting British industry. I urge the Minister to look further at this issue, because what he has announced is a start, but it does not go far enough. We need to make sure that every school, hospital, council, utility and big provider of services in this country is looking at how it can buy British and support our great manufacturing sector.
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I also met Royal Mail in my constituency recently and had a similar conversation, and I understand his point. As I say, I am not pretending that we have gone the full journey with procurement reform. We are taking big steps, but we need to go further, and I am very happy to work with my hon. Friend and others to do so.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for detailed commitments on procurement practices was not addressed directly; the answer included general support without concrete actions.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP references two specific businesses in his constituency that should benefit from the government's procurement policies.
Happy St George's day, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister for his earlier remarks on procurement, and I agree that £400 billion of public spending is a significant lever that this Labour Government have to better support businesses across our country. How will the Minister and his colleagues across Government work with me to ensure that our public money will be spent well and deliver for well-skilled jobs in Harlow?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Communities should be benefiting much more from the taxpayers' money we are spending on procurement. I believe he mentioned two businesses in his constituency yesterday—Wright's Flour mill and Lea Valley growers. To be clear, those are exactly the type of businesses we have in mind when we say we are trying to support local businesses to make a big impact in the community with lots of local jobs and so on.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not include specific commitments or actions to ensure these businesses benefit from procurement policies, only acknowledging the importance of supporting such businesses.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlights low public confidence due to repeated failures by the government.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister for his answers and for his endeavours to try to do better. The Minister and this House must recognise that public confidence is incredibly low due to repeated failures by the Government to do the right thing. How can the Government and the Minister ensure that changes take effect that restore confidence and remove any shade from areas of government? We have an obligation as elected representatives to openness and transparency.
The hon. Gentleman is right to flag that concern, and it is something that the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister is working hard on with a package of reforms around transparency. On procurement changes, I emphasise that I am trying to work with businesses, unions, charities, the voluntary sector and as many people as I can to bring them in. The more we listen to them, the more we will get this right, but he makes a broader point that I know my colleagues are working hard on, too.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific details or timelines for reforms and changes to improve transparency and restore public confidence.
Response accuracy