Overview

This bill mandates that UK public bodies prioritize purchasing goods made in the UK. This "presumption in favour" of British goods aims to boost domestic industry but may affect existing procurement rules.

Description

The British Goods (Public Sector Purchasing Duty) Bill requires all UK contracting authorities to assume British-made goods are preferable when making purchasing decisions. This obligation overrides certain aspects of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, which govern public procurement. However, the bill specifically excludes public bodies whose functions primarily fall under devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

Key Provisions:

• Presumption for British Goods: Public bodies must prioritize UK-originating goods.
• Overriding Procurement Regulations: The bill overrides some aspects of existing procurement rules.
• Devolved Administrations Excluded: The bill does not apply to bodies primarily responsible for devolved matters in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• Commencement: The bill will come into force 90 days after it becomes law.

Government Spending

The bill's impact on government spending is indirect. While it may lead to increased spending on UK-produced goods, the overall cost is difficult to predict, as it will depend on the pricing differences between UK and foreign goods. No specific figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• UK Businesses: Could benefit from increased demand for their products from public sector contracts.
• Public Sector Bodies: Will face altered purchasing procedures and may face increased costs if UK goods are more expensive.
• Foreign Businesses: May experience reduced opportunities to supply goods to UK public bodies.
• Taxpayers: May see changes in the price of public services depending on cost differences between UK and foreign goods.

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