Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Retained EU Law Bill, whether he plans to (a) revoke (b) retain or (c) replace the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016.

The Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 (along with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, Concession Contracts Regulations 2016 and the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011) will be replaced by the new public procurement regime being put in place by the Procurement Bill, currently being debated in Parliament.

The Bill will create simpler, more flexible and less complicated rules, and will open up more government procurement for small businesses and voluntary and community groups. The Bill also takes advantage of post-Brexit opportunities, allowing the UK to shape its own procurement rules, while complying with international obligations.

This is one of the ways we are helping grow the economy, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country - one of the Government’s five key priorities.