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<p>The Public Service (Social Value) Act 2012 requires a relevant authority buying
services to consider how what is being procured might improve the economic, social
and environmental well-being of the “relevant area”. Parliament does not have a “relevant
area” for the purposes of the Act, and therefore the Act’s provisions cannot formally
be applied to Parliamentary contracts. Parliament does, however, have a Sustainable
Purchasing Policy which sets a range of social, economic and environmental objectives
which must be considered whenever procuring contracts with third party suppliers.
Objectives of this kind are included in the terms and conditions of parliamentary
contracts and any relevant outcomes and performance measures are monitored and reported
during contract delivery.</p><p>The House Service awards contracts, including maintenance
works, on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender in accordance with
the statutory regime set out in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The Public
Contracts Regulations 2015 prohibit Parliament from insisting on the use of products
“of a specific origin”. It would therefore have been unlawful to impose a requirement
for the material used to be British. The contract for the refurbishment of the Elizabeth
Tower, which was awarded to Sir Robert McAlpine, requires that they procure services,
supplies and works in order to achieve the most economically advantageous outcome
to ensure completion of the contract.</p>
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