Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 4 October, what estimate they have made of the cost to business of imposing the mission-led measures in public procurement, and any associated increase in public procurement costs to taxpayers; and what estimate they have made of the cost to business of delaying the commencement of the Procurement Act 2023 to 2025.

The Cabinet Office is currently engaging stakeholders to help shape how a new, mission-driven approach to public procurement could support delivery of the Government’s missions alongside local priorities. We expect procurement measures to be beneficial to businesses and contracting authorities.

I refer to the answer given to HL1066 on 4 October. I am confident that the short delay to the implementation of the Procurement Act will allow for a more seamless transition, ensuring a smoother and more effective implementation process for both contracting authorities and suppliers. The NPPS is an essential element of the Procurement Act, and it is crucial that the new regime commences with a statutory NPPS aligned to this Government’s priorities.