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Written question asked by Angela Rayner (Labour) on Friday, 14 April 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 April 2023 (named day). It was answered by Alex Burghart (Conservative) on Wednesday, 19 April 2023 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.


Procurement: Fraud

Question

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether contracting authorities are regularly alerted by his Department about suppliers who have been excluded from procurement on the grounds of (a) fraud, (b) corruption and (c) other grounds under the Public Contract Regulations 2015.

Answer

Exclusion decisions are for individual departments. In the most serious of cases, the Cabinet Office may undertake a review of a supplier and issue guidance to departments but the decision on exclusion remains with the contracting authority.

The Procurement Bill, which is making its way through Parliament, further strengthens the rules on supplier exclusion for fraud and corruption. It will also create a new 'debarment register', accessible to all public sector organisations, which will list companies who should be excluded from contracts.

Information about exclusions relating to legal action being initiated by the Government relating to contracts to supply personal protective equipment is not held centrally.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
180208
Session
2022-23
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Corruption Fraud Procurement
Legislation
Public Contracts Regulations 2015
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk