Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Government Procurement: British Businesses

Tuesday 28 April 2026 · 3 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

  • Government procurement rules are being reformed to prioritize buying goods made in the country, including steel, shipbuilding, and energy infrastructure.
  • Staffordshire Day was recognized, with mentions of Staffordshire oatcakes and ceramics as examples of British products.
  • The Chancellor emphasized the government's commitment to using post-Brexit freedoms to support British businesses and rebuild relationships with the EU.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Leigh Ingham Lab Stafford
Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about Government contracts not reaching British manufacturers in Stafford.

Question

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure Government procurement supports British businesses. In Stafford, world-class manufacturers such as GE Vernova produce technology for the national grid but have not benefited from British government contracts. How will the new approach ensure that government spending reaches manufacturers and businesses like those in Stafford?

Answer from Rachel Reeves

We are reforming Government procurement rules so that we can buy more that is made in this country, including steel, shipbuilding, energy infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. The Government are the biggest buyer of goods and services in the economy, and I want more of that money to be spent here in Britain. We need to buy, make and sell more in Britain with more contracts going to firms like those in Staffordshire.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details on how the new approach will specifically benefit businesses in Stafford were not provided

How: Disregarded Specific Request For Detail

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Q2 Leigh Ingham Lab Stafford
Employment Business & Trade
Context

The MP warmly welcomes the Government's commitment to reform public sector procurement but seeks more detail on how this will support businesses in Stafford and across Britain.

Question

I thank the Chancellor for her answer. In Stafford, world-class manufacturers such as GE Vernova are producing technology that powers our national grid yet have not had contracts from British Government spending. I welcome the commitment to reform procurement to grow industry, skills, and jobs. How will this new approach ensure government spending reaches manufacturers in constituencies like Stafford?

Answer from Rachel Reeves

Today is Staffordshire Day; Staffordshire oatcakes are available for Members from both sides of the House. On a wider note, we need to buy, make and sell more in Britain with more contracts going to firms not just for their oatcakes but also ceramics.

Not addressed: Did not address the specific question about procurement reforms impacting Stafford manufacturers

How: Changed Subject

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Q3 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The MP asks if the Chancellor agrees that post-Brexit departments have more freedom to buy British under EU directives and seeks clarity on whether this will be utilized.

Question

Does the Chancellor agree that, post Brexit, Government Departments have much more freedom to buy British? Under the Procurement Act 2023, they can ignore EU directives. Will the Chancellor walk with us into the broad, sunlit uplands of post-Brexit Britain and use the freedoms we obtained for this country?

Answer from Rachel Reeves

Conservative Members cheer but did not use any of those freedoms. This Government is doing everything possible to buy, make and sell more in Britain. We aim to rebuild relationships with the European Union through initiatives such as rejoining Erasmus and playing our part in Horizon.

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether post-Brexit freedoms will be used for procurement

How: Changed Subject

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