Debates between Esther McVey and Mick Whitley during the 2019 Parliament

Public Procurement Processes

Debate between Esther McVey and Mick Whitley
Wednesday 25th January 2023

(1 year, 3 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Mick Whitley Portrait Mick Whitley
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Yes, and the Minister should address that question in his response.

In summary, we cannot continue with a system under which one in six procurement contracts over a five-year period was found by the Fair Tax Foundation to have been awarded to companies with connections to tax havens. We cannot continue with VIP lanes. We need a system that is accountable and transparent and made watertight against cronyism; that places social value, local economies and fair employment practices at its heart; that enables the Government to recoup money from those who fail to deliver; that gives real opportunity to small, medium and social enterprises to win; and that recognises that outsourcing has been a complete failure and the time for a return to insourcing is overdue. Without extensive amendment, the Procurement Bill does none of those things.

Esther McVey Portrait Esther McVey (in the Chair)
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I remind Members that they should bob if they wish to be called to speak. We will go to the Front Benchers no later than 10.33 am, mindful of the fact that Mick Whitley will need time to wind up the debate.