Public Procurement UK Businesses
2026-06-25
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The question addresses the prioritisation of UK businesses in Government procurement, particularly concerning national security and critical industries.
What steps he is taking to prioritise UK businesses in Government procurement. This involves ensuring that the full weight of the £400 billion procurement budget protects national security and backs British business across sectors such as steel, shipbuilding, AI, and energy infrastructure.
This Labour Government believe that it matters where things are made, and who makes them. Last week, I published new guidance to ensure that the full weight of our £400 billion procurement budget protects national security and backs British business. The guidance applies to four sectors initially—steel, shipbuilding, AI and energy infrastructure—and it will help secure our critical UK industries and boost growth across the country.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
A&P Falmouth, owned by Balaena, bid for a maintenance and repair contract for the Sir David Attenborough research vessel from UK Research and Innovation. Despite their strong bid, the contract went to a Danish shipyard under post-Brexit Conservative procurement rules.
Will the Minister confirm that under the procurement rules that we are introducing, British shipyards will be prioritised for British work? This involves ensuring that British shipyards are marked up on social value criteria and given priority in future procurements.
My hon. Friend is right to raise this issue. She has raised it with me previously, and she is a fantastic champion for her constituents. As she knows, I am working with the National Shipbuilding Office to bring forward the new rules. Shipbuilding is one of the areas that we are prioritising. Unfortunately, this procurement took place before the guidance came in, and it shows why the guidance is so necessary. It allows us to protect British national security and support shipyards, such as the one in her constituency. I reassure her constituents that the steps that the Government have taken will mean that more contracts, business and jobs come to constituencies like hers.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Specific confirmation on prioritising British shipyards for future work under new procurement rules was not provided
Reassurance Without Concrete Commitment
Response accuracy