Asked by: Lord Mann (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government took before Carillion was liquidated to ensure that SMEs would be paid by Carillion.
Answered by Oliver Dowden
Through the Public Contract Regulations 2015, public sector buyers must include 30-day payment terms in new public sector contracts; and require that this payment term be passed down the supply chain. Public sector buyers must also publish annually on their payment performance.
We strongly encourage businesses to report poor payment practice and instances of late payment, including late payment through the supply chain, in public sector contracts to its Mystery Shopper service. Mystery Shopper will then investigate.
Asked by: Lord Mann (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what value of contracts awarded by Government departments to Carillion plc was in the last 12 months.
Answered by Oliver Dowden
The government issued a limited number of contracts to Carillion during the period when the company was seeking to address its financial difficulties, whilst of course making sure that we had the right protections in place--Carillion had been a longstanding supplier and had delivered successfully in the past.
We also routinely stress-test contracts to ensure that if one party within a contract fails to deliver, the other parties involved will step in to complete the work. As with all contracts, our priority is to have best value and outcome for taxpayers’ money.
Asked by: Lord Mann (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment has been made of the risk of contagion from the collapse of Carillion plc to other private companies and contracts in the public and private sector.
Answered by Oliver Dowden
The Government is committed to maintaining a healthy supplier market and work closely with our key suppliers. We constantly monitor our largest suppliers.
From the point of liquidation, through the Official Receiver, we are continuing to pay for services received from suppliers and subcontractors on public sector contracts.
If any subcontractor experiences any difficulties, we would encourage them to talk in the first place to the Insolvency Service.
Asked by: Lord Mann (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether this office's General Election Guidance has been reviewed the light of the High Court’s ruling of 27 April 2017 regarding purdah periods; and if he will issue further guidance on responding to requests for information and other enquiries during general election campaigns to Departments and government agencies.
Answered by Chloe Smith
It is standard practice after an election for the Cabinet Office to reflect on how the election guidance operated in practice, and to consider amendments to the guidance in light of such practice. Updated guidance will be published in advance of the next General Election.
Asked by: Lord Mann (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that SMEs do not experience delayed payments due to the liquidation of Carillion.
Answered by Oliver Dowden
Through the official receiver, we are continuing to make provision for payments to maintain public services both to suppliers and subcontractors. If any subcontractors are experiencing difficulties they should talk in the first place to the Insolvency Service.