Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Food Standards Agency on the awarding of contracts to companies under investigation by HMRC.

No discussions have taken place with regards to any contracts awarded by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) around companies under investigation by HM Revenue and Customs.

All FSA contracts that are above the public procurement thresholds are awarded following competitive procurement processes, which are conducted in accordance with the public contracts regulations and in line with the Cabinet Office spend controls process. Additionally, financial due diligence is completed to ensure existing and future suppliers are financially stable, in line with the outsourcing playbook.