How is the Welsh Government ensuring that public procurement processes support locally owned family businesses and the communities they serve?
Welsh Government recognises the importance of using procurement as a lever to support local businesses and communities. The Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023 requires Welsh Contracting Authorities to seek to improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of its area by carrying out procurement in a socially responsible way and requires evidence of this through their annual reports. Additionally, the Welsh Themes, Outcomes and Measures (TOMs) system pilot provides a framework to help authorities measure and report on such improvements. This reflects Welsh Governments commitment to ensuring that public procurement processes support local businesses and communities.