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Written question asked by Samantha Niblett (Labour) on Friday, 29 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 June 2026 (named day). It was answered by Ian Murray (Labour) on Thursday, 4 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Microsoft: Competition

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department reviewed the Crown Commercial Service's approximately £9 billion Memorandum of Understanding with Microsoft, signed in November 2024, in light of the CMA's findings that Microsoft's software licensing practices reduce competition in UK cloud markets and impose additional costs on public sector organisations.

Answer

DSIT has not formally reviewed the SPA24 Memorandum of Understanding with Microsoft. This agreement does not represent a commitment to spend, but instead provides eligible public sector organisations with access to discounted pricing. Decisions on whether to purchase goods and services are made by individual organisations in line with procurement regulations.

The Government Commercial Agency (GCA), formerly Crown Commercial Service (CCS), manages SPA24 with Microsoft to ensure that it continues to deliver against its objectives.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
4835
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Software Costs Competition Public sector Microsoft Crown Commercial Service
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk