Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation 8
8
However, the south west pilot has been delayed because of the need to redeploy Government...
Conclusion
However, the south west pilot has been delayed because of the need to redeploy Government resources to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. While this delay is understandable, there is a risk that the pilot may fail before it has even started and that investment made to date may be wasted. Given the potential for the pilot to offer lessons on how to increase access to the public sector market for smaller, local suppliers, it should be prioritised and there must not be any further delays. The 26 Public Sector Procurement of Food Government should ensure that the delivery bodies involved are adequately resourced and supported to continue planning for the launch of the pilot in early 2022. We also request that the Government provides a written update by the end of December 2021 on the progress of the pilot, including a confirmation of the launch date. (Paragraph 55) Public Sector Procurement of Food 27
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
We welcome the Committee’s endorsement of the Future Food Framework (FFF) and look forward to progressing the pilot. The FFF supports the Government’s commitments on engaging with SMEs and enabling the public sector to buy more local food, and it is therefore an approach that we want to see succeed. Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has conducted a review of the project plan and continues to work on tactical solutions and a longer-term strategy that may positively impact the timelines. Key procurement activities have taken place from late 2020, and current timelines for delivery of the food commercial agreements indicate a fully live capability by the end of 2022. Whilst the final go live date has been delayed slightly beyond the June 2022 date noted during the EFRA hearings, the pilot is an exciting development and we are committed to progressing the platform as quickly as is feasible. Additional CCS resource has been brought onboard in May this year, and we hope this will expedite delivery of the commercial agreements. We will provide a written update to the Committee on the progress of the pilot by the end of December 2021.