TUC welcomes procurement reforms to boost jobs and skills

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has welcomed the Government’s planned procurement reforms, saying a stronger focus on creating good jobs and addressing skills shortages is “much needed”.

Responding to an announcement by First Secretary of State Louise Haigh, TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said public spending should deliver better outcomes for workers and local communities.

Nowak said: “Public money should be used for the public good – not squandered on poorly performing contracts which don’t deliver for working people or their communities.

“This move is a welcome and important step to ensure that every pound of taxpayer’s money delivers good jobs up and down the country, addresses local skills gaps and drives economic growth.

“This laser focus on skills and quality jobs is much-needed. To make this shift truly transformative, the government needs to bring forward the Procurement Bill in the next parliamentary session.

“That will help to ensure requirements on good jobs have the necessary teeth and cover every supplier in every sector – with union access and recognition delivering decent work across the economy.”