Asked by: Caroline Dinenage (Conservative - Gosport)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason the National Procurement Policy Statement exempts the Ministry of Defence defence and security contracts from the priority on delivering social value.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Defence and security contracts under the previous procurement regime were exempt from social value requirements under Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 06/20. This meant contracts let by Central Government Departments, their Executive Agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies in scope of the Public Contracts Regulations (2015) only, excluding those covered by the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 (DSPCR).
From 24 February 2025, Procurement Policy Note 002: Taking account of social value in the award of contracts which sets out how to take account of social value in the award of central government contracts, will not be mandated for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in relation to defence and security contracts as defined by section 7 of the Procurement Act 2023 and exempt procurements.
However, MOD delivery teams will have the flexibility to include Social Value criteria in defence and security or exempt contracts if relevant to the subject matter of the contract, proportionate, fair and non-discriminatory. This will be considered by individual MOD Delivery Teams on a case-by-case basis. All other MOD contracts that are in scope of the Procurement Act 2023 and not classified as a defence and security contract will be required to comply with the National procurement Policy Statement and PPN 002.
Asked by: Caroline Dinenage (Conservative - Gosport)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing compensation to infected blood victims before the publication of the full report of the Inquiry.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
The Government has accepted there is a moral case for compensation in respect of infected blood and has made interim compensation payments to recognise the urgent need of those registered on the existing support schemes. The Infected Blood Inquiry’s second interim report provides detailed recommendations on the framework for compensation which the Government is carefully considering.
Asked by: Caroline Dinenage (Conservative - Gosport)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to recommendation 14 of the Infected Blood Inquiry's Second Interim Report on compensation, published on 5 April 2023, when he plans to appoint a chair to an Arms Length Body to administer the compensation scheme to eligible applicants.
Answered by Jeremy Quin
As set out in the debate held on Thursday 22nd June, the setting up of an arms-length body is under consideration by the Government. The complexities and implications of any delivery mechanism must be fully understood ahead of committing to a timetable for appointments.
Asked by: Caroline Dinenage (Conservative - Gosport)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Infected Blood Compensation Framework Study will be published to recognised legal representatives and core participants after it is completed on 14 March 2022.
Answered by Michael Ellis
I refer the Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement, HCWS681, made on 15 March.
Asked by: Caroline Dinenage (Conservative - Gosport)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he plans to take to ensure that a higher proportion of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds participate in the National Citizen Service.
Answered by Nick Hurd
Social mix is at the core of National Citizen Service. We take great care to ensure that all young people, regardless of background, are able to take part in the programme – and we know this is working.