Covid-19 Services Private Provision 2020-06-11
2020-06-11
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
More than £1.7 billion of taxpayers' money has been spent on outsourcing related to coronavirus, and normal procurement rules have not applied.
Since the start of the covid crisis, over £1.7 billion of taxpayers' funds have been used by this Government for outsourcing directly linked to the pandemic. With typical competitive bidding processes waived, major Tory party donors and prominent government members hold significant stakes in or connections with many contracting firms. Will the Minister assure full transparency regarding all negotiations concerning these companies?
Procurement rules have not been suspended. The quality and appropriateness of the offers made by companies helping in this response have been verified through rigorous checks, with no breaches identified regarding Ministers or other colleagues. I urge caution against making unfounded allegations.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No commitment to full transparency on negotiations was given.
Urging Caution About Making Unfounded Allegations
Response accuracy