Restoration and Renewal: UK-wide Contracting

03 Apr

Question

The session focused on enhancing the involvement of UK-wide contractors, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, in the restoration and renewal project of the Palace of Westminster. The key issue raised pertained to equitable participation opportunities for contractors and the enhancement of skills and training nationwide. This aligns with the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019, emphasizing a UK-wide benefit.

Over 50%

Proportion of delivery authority's spend on companies outside London and the south-east.

Significant Contributions:

John Lamont (Conservative, Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk):
- Pressed for an inclusive bidding process that doesn't disadvantage contractors based far from London.
- Highlighted local businesses like Hutton Stone, indicating the availability of skilled tradespeople outside London.
Nick Smith:
- Provided reassurance that over half of the supply spending is with companies outside London.
- Emphasized the creation of jobs and apprenticeships in diverse fields, bolstering UK-wide skill sets.
- Cited ongoing outreach activities by the restoration team to engage regional industry hubs.

Visitation efforts

Engagement with regional sites like Inverness Castle and Scottish Parliament to promote skills development.

The interaction highlighted MPs' interest in maximizing domestic economic benefits and skill development through strategic public projects.

Outcome

Commitments were reiterated on collaborative opportunities across regions, with an emphasis on skill enhancement and localized economic benefits. The interaction underscored the project's role as a catalyst for nationwide industry engagement.

Key Contributions

John Lamont

Conservative

Stressed the importance of inclusivity for local contractors across the UK in bidding opportunities.

Nick Smith

Acknowledged the project's nationwide economic and educational impact.

Original Transcript

John Lamont

Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk

Con

Question

UIN: 903589

6. What steps the client board is taking to ensure that contractors from all parts of the UK are used in the restoration of the Palace of Westminster.

John Lamont

I am grateful for that answer. It is absolutely right that local contractors across the United Kingdom should be able to take part in this historic project.

In my constituency we have businesses such as Hutton Stone, which provides a full stone masonry service and has some of the country’s finest stone carvers.

Can we ensure that the process for bidding to take part in the restoration work is designed so as not to preclude contractors based further away from London, in order to maximise participation, and what else can we do to ensure that this process is used to upskill our workforce?

Nick Smith

These works are already boosting our UK industries. The programme will create jobs and apprenticeships with better skills across the country, from engineering and high-tech design to traditional crafts such as carpentry and stone masonry. The hon.

Member will be pleased to know that the restoration and renewal team have visited Inverness castle, the Glasgow School of Art, the Scottish Parliament and the Engine Shed in Stirling to promote these work across the country, and to bring forward and encourage the skills he mentioned in his question.

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