Asked by: Dawn Butler (Labour - Brent Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what procurement policies are in place when issuing government contracts.
Answered by Ben Gummer
The overriding procurement policy requirement is that all public procurement must be based on value for money, defined as ‘the best mix of quality and effectiveness for the least outlay over the period of use of the goods or services bought’. This should be achieved through competition, unless there are compelling reasons to the contrary.
Public sector procurement is subject to a legal framework that encourages free and open competition and value for money, in line with internationally and nationally agreed obligations and regulations. As part of its strategy, the government aligns procurement policies with this legal framework, as well as with its wider policy objectives:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-sector-procurement-policy
Asked by: Dawn Butler (Labour - Brent Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department plans to have targets for BAME representation in the Senior Civil Service.
Answered by Ben Gummer
The use of stretching goals for BAME representation as well as other protected characteristics are being considered as a way to support and facilitate the increase of senior representation of underrepresented groups within the Civil Service.