Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the greatest economic benefit is generated from (a) public procurement and (b) the award of contracts.

The overarching principle in all public sector procurement is to secure the best value for money for the taxpayer. To this end, we have simplified procurement processes, and we are implementing a range of measures, such as taking account of social value when awarding contracts. From September, if government contractors are late with supplier payments, they could be prevented from winning public contracts. These measures help to deliver value for money for taxpayers through better procurement, and support a healthy, competitive and diverse market.