Welsh Government
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Jane Hutt calls on UK administrations to follow Wales’ lead and ban blacklisters from bidding for public sector contracts
Giving evidence to the UK Parliament’s Scottish Affairs Committee, the Minister said Blacklisting – which discriminates against workers who raise health and safety concerns or are trade unionists – is illegal, unethical and unacceptable.
Some 111 of the 3,000 individuals on The Consulting Association’s blacklist are based in Wales.
On 5 September, the Welsh Government issued a Procurement Advice Note to every public body in Wales to provide clear guidance on the circumstances where blacklisters can be excluded from public procurement.
The Minister expects this guidance to be applied to all relevant future contracts to help ensure that any business in receipt of public procurement expenditure – which totals over £4bn a year - does not use blacklists.
Jane Hutt said:
“The Welsh Government is committed to eradicating blacklisting - it is illegal, unethical and unacceptable.
“Public procurement has an important role to play in setting standards to ensure businesses behave responsibly. That’s why I have taken firm and decisive action by issuing clear guidance to every public body in Wales on the circumstances where blacklisters can be excluded from public procurement.
“Ethical procurement is at the heart of the Welsh Government’s procurement practices. It is important that the way we carry out procurement sends a clear message to suppliers that we want to deal with professional businesses that comply with the law and treat their workers with respect.
“The action we have taken has been very well received in Wales and further afield. The Unions in particular have commended it and are pleased the Welsh Government has taken such a firm stance.
“I very much welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to follow our lead, but I now call on the UK Government to follow suit so we can present a united front on this vitally important issue."
The Welsh Government has been shortlisted for the 2013 Liberty Human Rights Awards in recognition of its commitment to eradicating the practice of blacklisting. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on Monday 25th November 2013.
