Oral Answers to Questions

Andy McDonald Excerpts

Thursday 23rd October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Anna Turley]

We have full confidence in the Cabinet Secretary and we condemn all leaks and breaches. We undertake to look into how any leaks from Government take place.

[Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough and Thornaby East) (Lab)]

8. What steps he is taking to increase employment opportunities through public procurement.

[Euan Stainbank (Falkirk) (Lab)]

13. What steps he is taking to increase employment opportunities through public procurement.

[The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Nick Thomas-Symonds)]

I will answer on behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven (Chris Ward), who, with your permission, Mr Speaker, is at an event with the Prime Minister in his constituency today. This Government’s new social value model includes fair working skills criteria, so that authorities can reward suppliers providing good-quality jobs, supporting people into work and providing their employees with additional development opportunities. We are consulting on further reforms to public procurement and will update the House in due course.

[Andy McDonald]

With the Government’s welcome commitment to improving terms, conditions and career progression in adult social care, as demonstrated through the planned fair pay agreement and the care workforce pathway, will the Minister confirm that the Government’s response to the public procurement consultation will deliver a public interest test that accelerates insourcing and requires providers to recognise trades unions, as well as more sustainable careers and long-term employment opportunities?