Oral Answers to Questions

Lorraine Beavers Excerpts

Thursday 4th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Lorraine Beavers (Blackpool North and Fleetwood) (Lab)]

2. What steps he has taken to ensure that trade union recognition is considered when determining the award of public contracts.

[The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Chris Ward)]

The Government’s social value model provides opportunities to reward suppliers that recognise a trade union or other forms of worker representation. We are looking at further reforms to procurement to ensure that the rules do everything possible to boost jobs and skills and reward good work. I am working with trade unions, businesses and other organisations on this matter.

[Lorraine Beavers]

I refer to my entry on the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. Bidfood, which has public contracts with the Army, prisons and schools across the UK, has torn up a long-standing recognition deal with GMB and Unite, leaving workers open to fire and rehire. Does the Minister agree that public contracts should go only to businesses that recognise and work constructively with trade unions?

[Chris Ward]

I personally think all businesses should recognise and work with trade unions. Our social value model, which we are reforming and will shortly strengthen, allows contracting authorities to consider the economic and social impact and reputation of bidders. Of course, the Employment Rights Bill—the biggest upgrade in workers’ rights in a generation—will end the scandal of fire and rehire.