Oral Answers to Questions

Robbie Moore Excerpts

Thursday 25th March 2021 Commons Chamber

[Penny Mordaunt]

I am very sorry to hear that the two businesses in my hon. Friend’s constituency are suffering cash-flow issues as a result of, one assumes, goods coming out of customs controls and being then exported back into the EU. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the devolved Administrations have set up the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group, which is looking at these issues, but I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss the precise issues those companies are facing to see what further we can do in the interim while these things are resolved.

[Robbie Moore (Keighley) (Con)]

What steps the Government are taking to increase the opportunities for small businesses to bid for Government contracts.

[Julie Marson (Hertford and Stortford) (Con)]

What steps the Government are taking to increase the opportunities for small businesses to bid for Government contracts.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Julia Lopez)]

Each year, the Government spend some £290 billion on public procurement. Now that the EU transition period has ended, we aim to make it simpler, quicker and cheaper for small and medium-sized enterprises to bid for Government contracts, as set out in our ambitious procurement Green Paper. We received over 600 responses to that consultation and the submission from the Federation of Small Businesses welcomed our drive to simplify and diversify public procurement.

[Robbie Moore]

Across Keighley and Ilkley, we have some of the finest small to medium-sized businesses which are passionate about the products they produce and the services they offer. Many are hungry for growth and expansion opportunities—I think of Wyedean Weaving, which is based in the Worth Valley. However, sometimes small businesses feel disadvantaged in comparison to larger businesses when it comes to bidding and being selected for Government contracts. Can my hon. Friend outline what her Department is doing to ensure that there is no disparity in the process and that small businesses have just as much chance of being selected as larger businesses?

--- Later in debate ---

[Michael Gove]

I cannot see the merit in that juxtaposition, but I do see merit in ensuring that the independent advisory body on public sector pay, which governs the NHS, should consider all the evidence. All Members of the House should make clear our solidarity, respect and admiration for those who work on the NHS frontline.

[Robbie Moore (Keighley) (Con)]

I recently met PFF, a fantastic, independent, family-run business in Keighley, which last year diversified and produced personal protective equipment, manufacturing over 360 million aprons for our frontline staff. It is also a proud member of the Made in Britain campaign. Can my right hon. Friend assure me that the Government will do all they can to support British businesses such as PFF which have adapted to help the NHS, and that all procurement will be British-focused where it can be?