5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: Update on the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Bill

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:52 pm on 14 September 2021.

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Photo of James Evans James Evans Conservative 4:52, 14 September 2021

Deputy Minister, this Bill, I think, does also present opportunities for Wales, I think especially around public procurement. As a previous local government cabinet member for economy, one of the things that I used to have all the time from businesses across Powys was, 'How can we get into public procurement? How can we help develop the local economy?' And I do think we need to be bold here and actually try and be world leading in public procurement. Public procurement can add massive benefits to the local economy in terms of jobs and opportunities; also in our schools, providing locally sourced meals, educating young people on where their food actually comes from, and chapter 7 of the Bill, I think, is very, very important to do that in the wider education of our children. I'd just like to know what conversations you've had with local government colleagues to prepare them for if this Bill is passed here and also with the Ministry of Defence, who do have a big presence in Wales and are a big part of public procurement within the country. I think it's very, very important that we get them on board early to make sure that they can procure locally sourced products that actually benefit jobs and the livelihoods of people in Wales. So, I'd like to see some commitments from yourself that we will be making sure, with the powers we have here, that local businesses can access and bid for public procurement, because I think that is the way we can protect jobs and livelihoods as we come out of this pandemic. Diolch, Deputy Llywydd.