Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Justin Madders and Oliver Dowden

Wednesday 10th July 2019 Commons Chamber

[The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Oliver Dowden)]

As my hon. Friend knows, small businesses are the backbone of our economy and we are determined to level the playing field so that they can win Government contracts. That is why, for example, we have introduced tough new prompt payment requirements and simplified the procurement process, and through our digital marketplace we have spent £2.5 billion, with £1.28 in every £3 going to SMEs.

[Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab)]

T3. According to the recent Sutton Trust and Social Mobility Commission report on elitist Britain, there has been a 4% increase in privately educated permanent secretaries. With the civil service already massively unrepresentative of society, does the Minister agree that that figure should be going down rather than up?