Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his Department's policy is on the procurement of (a) food and (b) drinks produced in Britain for use in its canteens and restaurants.

The DWP’s FM supplier has investigated the sourcing of food and drink in its canteens and restaurants. They confirm that all food and drink has to meet the Government Buying Standards, as well as their catering sub-contractor’s (Compass) own non-negotiable standards that have to be met in relation to animal welfare and quality assurance.

In order to achieve this, Compass have a set of strict food sourcing standards that their suppliers have to adhere to. These are split up between:

• Dairy and eggs

• Fruit and Veg

• Animal Products

• Fish and Seafood

• Meat sourcing

• Grocery and Savoury

For instance, for dairy liquid milk they state it must be from British Origin and red tractor assurance. All our eggs are cage free (liquid and shell). All shell eggs are from the UK.

Compass have set the net zero target of 2030, so have banned air freight in their business.