Covid-19 Consultants 2020-12-17
2020-12-17
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
During the pandemic, government contracts were awarded to external consultants and private sector organisations. Assessments are needed on whether these measures effectively addressed challenges.
What assessment has been made of the effectiveness of Government outsourcing during the covid-19 outbreak?
Working effectively with the private sector has helped address pandemic challenges. Contracting authorities must ensure value for taxpayers. The outsourcing playbook updated in June includes policies to improve contract quality and build civil service capability to reduce reliance on external consultants.
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Assessment & feedback
The effectiveness of contracts awarded without competition or due diligence checks is not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The National Audit Office found issues with government contracts awarded without competition or due diligence checks, raising concerns about transparency.
How can the public have any trust in the Government's response if the Government are not transparent with them?
We will look into National Audit Office recommendations. Emergency contracting rules were accurate, but there have been delays in publishing contracts due to technical issues, which are now resolved with 100% of relevant body contracts published.
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Assessment & feedback
The lack of competition and due diligence checks is not directly addressed.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
£1.6 billion-worth of contracts for COVID-19 services have not been published, and there are legal requirements to publish details within 30 days.
What is the Minister going to do to improve transparency in Government procurement?
All personal protective equipment contracts are now published. Difficulties exist but were outlined last week. A Green Paper on public procurement was launched this week and will introduce changes post-transition period to improve future practices.
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Assessment & feedback
The £1.6 billion in unpublished contracts is not specifically addressed, only generally improved transparency is promised.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Minister mentioned the Green Paper on procurement, which acknowledges the need for transparency. Concerns exist over contracts awarded without competition to Tory-connected firms.
Will the Minister put those warm words into action now and extend the Freedom of Information Act to all private companies delivering public services?
The Minister is willing to look into extending FOI but raises concerns about commercial confidentiality. The Green Paper aims to address issues faced during the pandemic and improve procurement practices.
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Assessment & feedback
Directly addressing whether FOI will be extended or not is avoided.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The National Audit Office reports that £10.5 billion was awarded without competition to firms with Tory connections, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Does the Minister agree that in any other part of the world it would be called corruption?
Every contract went through an eight-stage process, ensuring commercial sense over connections. No wrongdoing was found according to the NAO report. Interests were declared by Ministers.
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Assessment & feedback
The term 'corruption' is not addressed or acknowledged directly.
Response accuracy