[Falkirk, 20.02.2025] Falkirk MP Euan Stainbank has welcomed the UK Government’s commitment to supporting British industries through the new National Procurement Policy Statement, which aims to boost the economy by procuring more goods and services from domestic suppliers, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and social enterprises.
Mr Stainbank, who recently raised a parliamentary question on the potential impact of the National Procurement Policy Statement on the domestic bus manufacturing industry, received a written response confirming the Government’s focus on supporting British buses as well as growing the economy, creating high-quality local jobs, driving innovation, and supporting domestic supply chains.
Now what we need to see is a strategic prioritisation of UK content and UK manufacturing in roll-out of future zero emission buses, funding and policy for the delivery of 2,000 British-built zero emission buses per year, and a comprehensive and realistic spending plan to support any zero-emission bus mandate from 2030.
Mr Stainbank said:
“I am pleased to see the Government taking decisive action to support British businesses and local economies through strategic procurement. The National Procurement Policy Statement sets out a clear vision for growing the economy by buying more British buses. This approach not only boosts domestic industries but also secures high-quality local jobs and drives innovation across the country.
“The Government currently spends over £400bn a year on essential goods and services. The new National Procurement Policy Statement announced on the 13th of February lays out how the Government will target to procure more from SMEs and Social Enterprises and simplify the system. Currently, Government departments and agencies can use complicated and unnecessarily different criteria for bidding processes. Far too much taxpayer’s money spent for our communities leaves our communities. The Government will be updating and streamlining criteria and enabling local authorities to reserve contracts for their local area.
“This policy is a significant step towards ensuring that taxpayer money stays within our communities, supporting local enterprises and creating sustainable economic growth. I look forward to working with the Government to ensure that this vision is realised and that British industries, including our vital bus manufacturing sector, are fully supported”.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- Euan Stainbank MP asked the UK Government the following written question:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the National Procurement Policy Statement on the domestic bus manufacturing industry. The Cabinet Office responded:
The government is committed to supporting the UK’s domestic bus manufacturing industry and ensuring a fair, competitive procurement process. The new National Procurement Policy Statement will be focused on our missions, growing the economy, creating high-quality local jobs, driving innovation and opening up opportunities to small businesses and social enterprises. Contracting authorities are encouraged to consider how their procurement strategies can support domestic supply chains, including the bus manufacturing sector.
- The question and answer above are available on the UK Parliament website: https://members.parliament.uk/member/5110/writtenquestions.
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