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Written Question
Defence: Procurement
Friday 22nd March 2024

Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department's assessment of companies against its social value criteria gives equal weighting to benefits that are brought (a) direct to the UK and (b) overseas.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) applies the Social Value Model to all of its in-scope competitive procurements, in accordance with the Cabinet Office Social Value Policy. The MOD ensures correct and consistent application of the Social Value Model through additional policy, guidance, training and through engagement with industry through the Defence Supplier Forum. Its application is monitored through appropriate governance, reporting and reviews.

Weightings are applied to the award criteria, and supplier proposals are assessed qualitatively not quantitively in tender evaluation. The Social Value Model does not discriminate based on where social value is delivered. However where appropriate, and having due regard to UK market access obligations to our international fair-trade agreements (FTAs), procurements may specify, within their social value requirement, the social value to be delivered in specific geographical locations.

MOD currently applies Cabinet Office Social Value rules, and further, Defence specific values. For example, the New Medium Helicopter procurement has a strong weighting for UK workshare and exportability. To ensure the maximum impact of the Integrated Procurement Model, particular in supporting the development of sovereign capability, I will be undertaking a rapid review of how MOD applies social content rules on Defence Procurement.


Written Question
Ministry of Defence: Procurement
Friday 22nd March 2024

Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he is taking steps to ensure that the social value model is applied (a) correctly and (b) consistently in his Department's procurement processes.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) applies the Social Value Model to all of its in-scope competitive procurements, in accordance with the Cabinet Office Social Value Policy. The MOD ensures correct and consistent application of the Social Value Model through additional policy, guidance, training and through engagement with industry through the Defence Supplier Forum. Its application is monitored through appropriate governance, reporting and reviews.

Weightings are applied to the award criteria, and supplier proposals are assessed qualitatively not quantitively in tender evaluation. The Social Value Model does not discriminate based on where social value is delivered. However where appropriate, and having due regard to UK market access obligations to our international fair-trade agreements (FTAs), procurements may specify, within their social value requirement, the social value to be delivered in specific geographical locations.

MOD currently applies Cabinet Office Social Value rules, and further, Defence specific values. For example, the New Medium Helicopter procurement has a strong weighting for UK workshare and exportability. To ensure the maximum impact of the Integrated Procurement Model, particular in supporting the development of sovereign capability, I will be undertaking a rapid review of how MOD applies social content rules on Defence Procurement.


Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 20 Mar 2024
Oral Answers to Questions

Speech Link

View all Sarah Atherton (Con - Wrexham) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions

Division Vote (Commons)
19 Mar 2024 - Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Sarah Atherton (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 293 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 218 Noes - 305
Division Vote (Commons)
19 Mar 2024 - Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Sarah Atherton (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 293 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 217 Noes - 305
Division Vote (Commons)
19 Mar 2024 - Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Sarah Atherton (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 296 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 219 Noes - 306
Division Vote (Commons)
19 Mar 2024 - Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Sarah Atherton (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 298 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 224 Noes - 301
Division Vote (Commons)
18 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Sarah Atherton (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 314 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 324 Noes - 251
Division Vote (Commons)
18 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Sarah Atherton (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 311 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 320 Noes - 250
Division Vote (Commons)
18 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Sarah Atherton (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 310 Conservative Aye votes vs 1 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 320 Noes - 251