Government Procurement Covid-19 2020-09-21
2020-09-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by concerns over the impact of the pandemic on government procurement processes and supplier payments.
What steps his Department has taken to support Government procurement during the covid-19 outbreak. The MOD has paid £123 million in interim payments, engaged with 600 critical suppliers, and received additional funding from the Treasury fiscal stimulus programme for defence estate accommodation improvements.
Throughout the pandemic, orders have continued to be made and placed and suppliers paid. The MOD has paid £123 million in interim payments to ensure that critical defence outputs can continue uninterrupted, and engaged directly with 600 of its critical suppliers. In addition, as part of the Treasury fiscal stimulus programme, an additional £200 million of funding has been allocated to improve the defence estate accommodation.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by the need for long-term certainty for companies, such as Leonardo in the constituency of the MP, who have faced challenges due to the pandemic and require assurance on future government procurement programmes.
Short-term support is great, but companies such as Leonardo in my constituency need long-term certainty on programmes as they fight back from covid. What can the Minister do to provide such certainty?
My hon. Friend is a great advocate for Leonardo and for military helicopters. The publication of the integrated review and, in particular, the defence and security industrial strategy will provide a great deal of certainty. In addition, in the case of Leonardo, through our strategic partnering arrangement we are establishing a joint working group to support future capability and understanding.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not specify concrete actions or timelines for providing long-term certainty beyond mentioning ongoing initiatives like the integrated review and joint working groups.
Response accuracy