Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on Government Departments procuring more products that are made in (a) Newport West constituency and (b) Wales.

I have regular discussions with my Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues, including those around procurement. The Government wants businesses from every corner of the UK to be successful in bidding for UK public contracts.

We are reforming the procurement rules to make it simpler, quicker and cheaper for suppliers, including small and mid-size enterprises and social enterprises, to bid for public sector contracts. The Welsh Government has confirmed that it will also join the reforms.

The reforms will support the Government’s levelling up priorities by making it easier for public sector buyers to take account of social value when awarding contracts. This will allow public sector procurement to play into the strengths of Welsh businesses, including those in Newport West, who are well placed to deliver benefits.