Asked
What steps the Government is taking to encourage civil servants to serve as reservists in the Armed Forces.
Reply
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation
The Westminster lensArchive · Written questions · 136 tabled · 129 answered
Written questions by Charters.
Every parliamentary written question tabled by Luke Charters this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Department:All (136)Department of Health and Social Care (37)Department for Education (30)Treasury (10)Home Office (10)Department for Transport (8)Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (7)Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (7)Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (6)Department for Work and Pensions (6)Cabinet Office (3)Department for Culture, Media and Sport (3)Department for Business and Trade (2)
Showing 1–3 of 3 · Cabinet Office
Asked
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that SME suppliers are paid on time.
Reply
The Procurement Act 2023 introduces a range of reforms to make it easier for SMEs to access public sector supply-chains, and we will be ensuring that the powers in the Act are utilised to support the new government’s priorities. A new duty will require contracting authorities to have regard to the particular barriers facing SMEs, and to consider what can be done to overcome them. 30 day payment terms will apply throughout the public sector supply chain, regardless of whether they are written into the contract. Government must lead by example and pay their suppliers on time. The most recent published payment data for the Cabinet Office shows 97% of all invoices were paid within 30 days, and 88% of all invoices were paid within 5 days. Further, all bidders for large government contracts must demonstrate prompt payment to their suppliers within an average of 55 days, regardless of whether it’s in a public supply chain or not, or risk being excluded from the procurement.
Asked
If his Department will take steps to help SMEs access new Government procurement opportunities.
Reply
The Procurement Act 2023 introduces a range of reforms to make it easier for SMEs to access public sector supply-chains, and we will be ensuring that the powers in the Act are utilised to support the new government’s priorities. A new duty will require contracting authorities to have regard to the particular barriers facing SMEs, and to consider what can be done to overcome them. 30 day payment terms will apply throughout the public sector supply chain, regardless of whether they are written into the contract. Government must lead by example and pay their suppliers on time. The most recent published payment data for the Cabinet Office shows 97% of all invoices were paid within 30 days, and 88% of all invoices were paid within 5 days. Further, all bidders for large government contracts must demonstrate prompt payment to their suppliers within an average of 55 days, regardless of whether it’s in a public supply chain or not, or risk being excluded from the procurement.
Sources
SourceUK Parliament Members API
MethodQuestion and answer text as published. Question preamble (“To ask the…”) trimmed for readability; answers shown in full.