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Public Sector Procurement of Food

Inquiry

In 2014, Defra published “A Plan for Public Procurement,” which showed that in 2010, the UK public sector spent over £2.4 billion annually on procuring food for beneficiaries including schools, hospitals, prisons, government agencies, and care homes. The Plan outlined new standards and guidelines for food procurement by public bodies, focusing on economic competitiveness, nutrition, and the production process. The report established a revised Government Buying Standard (GBS) and a ‘balanced scorecard’ for public procurement as part of a toolkit for food procurers of public bodies. Recently, there have been calls for the National Food Strategy commissioned by Defra to address food procurement.

Public procurement is currently governed by EU rules. The 2019 Conservative Party manifesto stated: “When we leave the EU, we will be able to encourage the public sector to ‘Buy British’ to support our farmers and reduce environmental costs”. After the transition period ends, the UK can change procurement rules, though this will be subject to other agreements, including the future relationship with the EU.

Read the call for evidence for more information about this inquiry.

Reports, special reports and government responses

View all reports and responses
Sixth Report - Public Sector Procurement of Food
Inquiry Public Sector Procurement of Food
HC 469
Report
Response to this report
Third Special Report: Public Sector Procurement of Food: Government Response to the Committee’s Sixth Report of Session 2019–21
HC 499
Special Report
Third Special Report: Public Sector Procurement of Food: Government Response to the Committee’s Sixth Report of Session 2019–21
Inquiry Public Sector Procurement of Food
HC 499
Special Report

Oral evidence transcripts

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12 January 2021
Inquiry Public Sector Procurement of Food
Oral Evidence
1 December 2020
Inquiry Public Sector Procurement of Food
Witnesses Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation, Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service, and National Health Service (Supply Chain)
Oral Evidence
1 December 2020
Inquiry Public Sector Procurement of Food
Witnesses Farringtons, and South West Food Hub
Oral Evidence
The South West Food Hub (PRO0058)
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (PRO0059)
British Soft Drinks Association (PRO0050)

Other publications

No other publications published.

Contact us

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  • Email: efracom@parliament.uk
  • Phone: Media enquiries: 020 7219 3138
  • Address: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA