Small and Medium-sized Enterprises: Public Procurement Contracts Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises: Public Procurement Contracts

Lord Bhatia Excerpts
Monday 7th September 2020

(4 years, 2 months ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Callanan Portrait Lord Callanan (Con)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I agree with the point that my noble friend is making but, of course, each individual contracting authority will have its own strategy for food procurement. The Crown Commercial Service has established a number of frameworks for the provision of food, and this agreement will deliver a UK-wide SME-inclusive food-procurement service for public sector food buyers.

Lord Bhatia Portrait Lord Bhatia (Non-Afl) [V]
- Hansard - -

In the Covid era, small businesses are most at risk and need help from the Government. Can the Minister answer whether he agrees?

Lord Callanan Portrait Lord Callanan (Con)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Of course, all businesses will need help during the Covid crisis, and we have one of the largest programmes of help for companies and businesses in the western world.