Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Chris Ward and Julie Minns

Thursday 25th June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Chris Ward]

The hon. Member is absolutely right that we need to do more to support SMEs, and that we need to use our procurement budget to do that. I have announced some of the steps that we have already taken. In fact, just last week, we announced new guidance, both to ensure that, in sectors such as steel and shipping, more contracts go to British companies, and to help small and medium-sized businesses. That is just the start. We need to go much further—I am not challenging that at all—but we are taking big steps. In the last few years, we have come a long way, but hopefully we can go further.

[Ms Julie Minns (Carlisle) (Lab)]

8. What steps he has taken to support the relocation of civil service roles.