The UK Government has new guidelines on public procurement, which restrict the ability of local authorities to make ethical decisions about excluding companies from public procurement, and the investing activity of public pension schemes.
These guidelines do not affect Scotland, where the regulation of public procurement and public pension schemes is devolved to the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government regulations on local authority public procurement have taken a much more considerate approach to this matter, with due regard given to the need for prudent financial investments as well as valid social, environmental and ethical considerations.
These guidelines do not affect Scotland, where the regulation of public procurement and public pension schemes is devolved to the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government regulations on local authority public procurement have taken a much more considerate approach to this matter, with due regard given to the need for prudent financial investments as well as valid social, environmental and ethical considerations.
I am concerned at the UK Government’s guidelines, which amount to a censuring of local authorities in England & Wales. My SNP colleagues will be attending a Westminster Hall debate on this matter next week, and rest assured that we will pursue the UK Government Ministers on why they would wish to restrict the ability of local authorities to choose not to invest in companies that have been involved in human rights abuses, the arms trade, and other ethically questionable activities.