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 4:59 pm on 14 September 2021.

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Photo of Mike Hedges Mike Hedges Labour 4:59, 14 September 2021

Diolch. Thank you. Can I just agree with what Sarah Murphy raised, because I think that's a matter that is going to be of grave concern and greater concern as time goes on?

But the question I want to ask is: what can we do to make contracts smaller? I agree that far too little is given out to smaller companies inside communities, but the reason is that people package it—including the Welsh Government, including local authorities—in such large contracts that only big companies can apply. If you take the A55 development, the last time it was put out, it was put out at such a size that no company in north Wales was able to apply, and all of the people who could apply were those from large companies dotted around the world. So, how do we get contracts smaller, so that local companies and local people can benefit?