Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the merits of targets for increased procurement from Commonwealth nations after the UK has left the EU.

We are working with countries across the world to ensure the UK remains a global leader in free trade as we leave the EU. This year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London saw leaders adopt a six-point Connectivity Agenda for Trade and Investment to boost intra-Commonwealth trade to $2 Trillion by 2030. We are also currently working towards developing our overall approach to potential future trade negotiations, including with respect to government procurement, and our public consultations continue to will help to inform this.

Government is required to award contracts through fair and open competition in line with international obligations, which ensures value for money for the taxpayer. We will use opportunities offered by our exit from the EU to carefully consider longer-term options for the UK’s public procurement rules.