Oral Answers to Questions

Jamie Wallis Excerpts

Thursday 27th February 2020 Commons Chamber

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office was asked—

[Dr Jamie Wallis (Bridgend) (Con)]

1. What plans he has to support small and medium-sized businesses in bidding for Government contracts.

[Angela Richardson (Guildford) (Con)]

7. What plans he has to support small and medium-sized businesses in bidding for Government contracts.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Paymaster General (Penny Mordaunt)]

We have introduced measures to tackle barriers faced by SMEs in the procurement process. In the last financial year, we spent almost £2 billion more with SMEs than we did in the preceding year.

[Dr Wallis]

In my constituency of Bridgend in south Wales, the SME market will be absolutely key to making a success of Brexit. Will my right hon. Friend commit to working with the devolved Administrations, so that all parts of the UK will see progress when it comes to SMEs accessing Government contracts?

[Penny Mordaunt]

I congratulate my hon. Friend on all the work that he has been doing to open up opportunities for his constituents, and particularly SMEs and entrepreneurs. I can commit to, and have already had, conversations with the devolved nations. The contract finder that the Department has set up, offering greater transparency about those opportunities, is just one way that we are assisting, and I would be happy to meet him to discuss other ways that we can support his efforts to ensure that all his constituents have maximum opportunity.