Contributions
4,729 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSmall and Medium-sized Enterprises: Public Procurement ContractsI agree with the point that my noble friend is making but, of course, each individual contracting authority will have its own strategy for food procurement. The Crown Commercial…07 Sept 2020HANSARDSmall and Medium-sized Enterprises: Public Procurement ContractsThe noble Lord makes a very good point. We encourage all SMEs that are interested in bidding for public sector opportunities to use Contracts Finder, which lists all tenders over…07 Sept 2020HANSARDSmall and Medium-sized Enterprises: Public Procurement ContractsEach government department publishes its own SME action plan, which describes how it is engaging better with the SME sector to address the department’s own needs and increase…07 Sept 2020HANSARDSmall and Medium-sized Enterprises: Public Procurement ContractsMy Lords, the Government are determined to ensure that SMEs win public contracts when they offer good value for money. We are committed to tackling the barriers that SMEs face.…07 Sept 2020HANSARDPost Office: Horizon Accounting SystemI am pleased that the noble Lord’s train was not late. I understand the frustration expressed by noble Lords. When I first saw the award, I shared some of that frustration, but…07 Sept 2020HANSARDPost Office: Horizon Accounting SystemThe court case resulted in a substantial award of compensation and the Post Office has a separate historical shortfall scheme, which it is looking at and progressing. We want to…07 Sept 2020HANSARDPost Office: Horizon Accounting SystemI have spoken to the chief executive of the Post Office, as has my ministerial colleague who is responsible for this matter. We are conveying the strongest possible message that…07 Sept 2020HANSARDSmall and Medium-sized Enterprises: Public Procurement ContractsThe noble Lord is, of course, well aware that I am not a Minister in the Ministry of Defence, so I shall have to write to him on that.07 Sept 2020HANSARDPost Office: Horizon Accounting SystemI pay tribute once again to the tenaciousness of my noble friend in raising this sad tale. The historical shortfall scheme was open to people or companies who had, or have, a…07 Sept 2020HANSARDSmall and Medium-sized Enterprises: Public Procurement ContractsOf course, I cannot speak for the devolved Governments, but I am sure they are doing all in their power to ensure that as many small businesses as possible receive contracts.07 Sept 2020HANSARDSmall and Medium-sized Enterprises: Public Procurement ContractsI can tell the noble Baroness that, since its launch in 2012, something like 20% of our start-up loans have gone to entrepreneurs from black, Asian and minority-ethnic backgrounds…07 Sept 2020HANSARDPost Office: Horizon Accounting SystemI certainly acknowledge the urgency of the situation. We are working as fast as possible to get the review under way and to announce the chair—we will do so as quickly as possible.07 Sept 2020HANSARDElectricity and Gas etc. (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020My Lords, I thank all noble Lords for their valuable contributions to the debate. The Government are committed to achieving a smooth end to the transition period for our energy…03 Sept 2020HANSARDElectricity and Gas etc. (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020That the Grand Committee do consider the Electricity and Gas etc. (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.03 Sept 2020HANSARDElectricity and Gas etc. (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020My Lords, when the transition period ends, direct EU legislation and EU-derived domestic legislation that forms part of the legal framework governing our energy markets will be…03 Sept 2020HANSARDCorporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020As the noble Lord observed, the measures have been in place for only a few weeks. One company has taken advantage of them, but it is an option for companies and the monitors if…29 Jul 2020HANSARDCorporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020I understand the point my noble friend makes, but I think that the provisions are fairly well known and understood in the insolvency profession. There is a wide circle of people…29 Jul 2020HANSARDCorporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020I can certainly give the noble Baroness that reassurance. These are complicated provisions and we accept that they have been in place for only a short period. We will of course…29 Jul 2020HANSARDUK Internal Market: White PaperI thank the noble Lord, Lord Stevenson, and the noble Baroness, Lady Kramer, for their questions. I pay tribute to the support that he offered for the principles of this…29 Jul 2020HANSARDUK Internal Market: White PaperI accept the concerns that the noble Baroness raises, but the UK’s single market proposals—I am talking about the White Paper—have no impact on any of these matters. I will need…29 Jul 2020