Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Sarah Dyke Excerpts
Thursday 25th July 2024

(3 months, 2 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Georgia Gould Portrait Georgia Gould
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I thank my hon. Friend for her service during covid, and I thank all the health and care staff who risked their lives to protect us. Billions were spent on personal protective equipment that was unusable, overpriced or under-delivered. This Government are determined to learn those lessons and safeguard every pound of taxpayers’ money. I have met the Public Sector Fraud Authority and have set out our commitment to driving down fraud across Government. We are determined to learn the lessons from the work of the covid commissioner, who will report to Parliament.

Sarah Dyke Portrait Sarah Dyke (Glastonbury and Somerton) (LD)
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I offer a warm welcome to the ministerial team. Constituents across Glastonbury and Somerton tell me that quality matters to them as much as value for money. Does the Minister agree that we must ensure that public procurement considers environmental and social factors as well as value for money?

Georgia Gould Portrait Georgia Gould
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Value for money is critical to this Government. We want to make sure that every pound of taxpayers’ money is spent wisely. We are inheriting a perilous economic situation, and we need to invest in public services, but we also need to deliver social value, which includes workforce standards and environmental standards. That is how we deliver good growth.