Contributions
259 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDIntergovernmental Relations Engagement DashboardThis Government’s commitment to working in genuine partnership with the devolved Governments is demonstrated by the frequency and consistency of our engagement. This is essential…13 Jul 2026HANSARDPublic Procurement: SMEsThis Government are determined to ensure that public procurement backs small and medium-sized businesses. That is why we have strengthened late payment rules, have set ambitious…25 Jun 2026HANSARDPublic Procurement: UK BusinessesMy 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…25 Jun 2026HANSARDPublic Procurement: SMEsMy hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight small businesses like the one in her constituency. As I announced in March, small businesses will now receive just over £7 billion…25 Jun 2026HANSARDPublic Procurement: SMEsA number of colleagues, including my hon. Friend the Member for Falkirk (Euan Stainbank), have raised this subject several times with me, and I am working with Department for…25 Jun 2026HANSARDPublic Procurement: SMEsI thank the hon. Member for that; it is a really good question. The reforms that we have introduced apply to all Departments, and the MOJ is obviously signed up to them. I have…25 Jun 2026HANSARDPublic Procurement: SMEsThe hon. Member is absolutely right that we need to do more to support SMEs, and that we need to use our procurement budget to do that. I have announced some of the steps that we…25 Jun 2026HANSARDPublic Procurement: UK BusinessesThis 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…25 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsThere are four sectors where we are using national security guidance, but the support for SMEs is much broader, too. I will happily talk to my hon. Friend and come back to her on…25 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsWe are taking a number of steps to improve SME access to Government procurement, and I outlined those earlier. If it is okay with the hon. Gentleman, I will write to him about the…25 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsI absolutely do. We announced last week that we will bring all Government Property Agency, catering and security services back in-house, or at least that it is our intention to do…25 Jun 2026HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs I said earlier, my hon. Friend has raised this with me a number of times, and he is absolutely right to do so. I have spoken with the Department for Transport and security…25 Jun 2026HANSARDPublic Procurement: Protecting National Security and Strengthening Economic ResilienceOn 19 June the Government announced the publication of new policy guidance to protect the UK’s national security through public procurement. In March, I announced plans to ensure…22 Jun 2026HANSARDInsourcingA priority for this Government is reforming procurement and how we deliver our public services. For too long, successive Governments have been, at best, ambivalent about whether…17 Jun 2026HANSARD Ernest BevinI thank my hon. Friend the Member for Warwick and Leamington (Matt Western) for securing the debate and for his excellent speech, and I thank other hon. Members for their…27 Apr 2026HANSARD Ernest BevinI certainly will. Does my hon. Friend want to intervene because I mentioned Bristol?27 Apr 2026HANSARD Ernest BevinI completely agree. I would like to see Bevin celebrated more in Bristol and across the country, particularly for his contribution to NATO and to the trade union movement. Bevin’s…27 Apr 2026HANSARDPublic ProcurementAs I informed the House yesterday, I am bringing forward a major package of reforms to procurement policy. This includes steps to direct Government procurement in the national…23 Apr 2026HANSARDPublic ProcurementThe Government are, of course, concerned about the risks that my hon. Friend has mentioned. There are strong safeguards in the Procurement Act 2023 to preserve the integrity of…23 Apr 2026HANSARDPublic ProcurementI thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue again. As I said in the House yesterday, Denby is an iconic British manufacturer, and I know the anxiety that the workforce will feel…23 Apr 2026