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 4:53 pm on 14 September 2021.

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Photo of Hannah Blythyn Hannah Blythyn Labour 4:53, 14 September 2021

Thanks, Deputy Llywydd, and the Member makes some really constructive points around, like you said before, the potential that procurement gives us here in Wales to really make a difference, to actually support work, but by default to actually support the local economy, because if people are in decent employment they're more likely to spend in the local economy as well, so there's that connection there. Very much, like I said before, this Bill is one aspect of that but amongst wider procurement reform. And one thing I would suggest is that when you were growing up you would never have said, 'Procurement offers a very exciting opportunity,' but it absolutely does, and it's one of those key levers that we have at our disposal in Wales and it's absolutely one, I know, not just within this Bill and from a social partnership, public procurement perspective in this Bill itself, but right across Government, and it's working on how we can maximise those opportunities. I'd be more than happy to keep the Member updated, and also if you've got any suggestions you want to feed into that process I would welcome them as well.

Just to touch on the point you made with—. Absolutely, we can talk about partnership, and this Bill has been developed by having those conversations with the people and the organisations that it will impact. So, we have worked with local government through the local government association, but clearly more in-depth conversations and guidance and support are going to be needed as we work up the detail and the operational impact of the new legislation as well.