Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Deferred
Publish public procurement's economic contribution; establish CCO's 10-year plan for industrial strategy.
Recommendation
We recommend that alongside the industrial strategy, the Government publishes a clear estimate of the number of jobs in the eight growth driving sectors that are supported by public procurement as well as the contribution of procurement spend to the economic growth of the sectors. We recommend that the Government Chief Commercial Officer sits on the Industrial Strategy Council and provides to Parliament a clear ten- year plan, reported annually, on the way in which public procurement will help deliver on the ambitions of the industrial strategy. This should include clear performance data. This plan and these annual reports should be signed off by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. (Recommendation, Paragraph 70)
Government Response Summary
The government agrees public procurement is important but defers further detail on its approach until after a consultation launched in June 2025. It does not commit to publishing an estimate of jobs supported by procurement or to the Chief Commercial Officer sitting on the Industrial Strategy Council and providing an annual 10-year plan to Parliament.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
6.1. The Government agrees that public procurement is a powerful lever for driving economic growth in the UK. The Industrial Strategy set out how the Government will implement current reforms and also go further to ensure that public purchasing power is used strategically to support the Government’s priorities. Further detail on the Government’s approach to procurement will be set out following the consultation which was launched in June 2025, which proposed options to improve domestic competitiveness, strengthening the UK’s economic resilience and supporting British businesses. 6.2. The Council brings together experts and thought leaders from across business, academia and trade unions. Members have been appointed based on their expertise and wide-ranging experience. 6.3. The Council in its role will have oversight for robust and comprehensive monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the Industrial Strategy. The Council will work closely with government departments and public bodies (such as regulators) that are responsible for developing the M&E programmes for individual Sector Plans and policies.