Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how her Department prioritises British businesses in its procurement of space sector contracts.

The Government is committed to supporting high-growth British space businesses. The new Procurement Act introduces a simpler and more transparent system that supports small businesses and enables contracting authorities to recognise quality and innovation in UK products.

Government procurement plays an important role in helping British space companies scale in emerging technology areas. Through the Unlocking Space programme, DSIT is supporting departments to explore opportunities to trial space-enabled solutions, enabling government to act as an anchor customer.

The Government continues to explore a wider range of commercial mechanisms to support British space companies as technologies mature and markets develop.