Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Electronic Purchasing Card Solution

(asked on 20th December 2022) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether it is his Department's policy that government procurement cards should not be used for purchases (a) of alcohol and (b) that could be made via an alternative compliant purchasing route.


Answered by
David Rutley Portrait
David Rutley
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 9th January 2023

It is FCDO policy that Government Procurement Cards (GPC) can be used to purchase supplies of alcohol for official representational purposes both in the UK and at our network of overseas posts. Providing alcoholic refreshment where necessary and locally appropriate supports the achievement of FCDO objectives including by showcasing the UK's food and drink sector. The use of GPC cards for this purpose represents an efficient, value for money purchasing solution. FCDO's procurement policy sets out the circumstances in which use of a Government Procurement card is appropriate. Every GPC transaction is approved by a supervising officer and controls are in place to prevent use outside policy and to ensure that the use of the card and the goods and services purchased are appropriate and represent value for money for the taxpayer.

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