• Privacy policy
  • T&C’s
  • About Us
    • FAQ
  • Contact us
  • Guest Content
  • TLE
  • News
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Elevenses
  • Business
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Property
  • JOBS
  • All
    • All Entertainment
    • Film
    • Sport
    • Tech/Auto
    • Lifestyle
    • Lottery Results
      • Lotto
      • Set For Life
      • Thunderball
      • EuroMillions
No Result
View All Result
The London Economic
SUPPORT THE LONDON ECONOMIC
NEWSLETTER
The London Economic
No Result
View All Result
Home Politics

Reeves asks govt to publish details of VIP fast lane after Hancock’s pub landlord awarded contract

"Waste, cronyism and inefficacy has marred this government's pandemic procurement, but they seem in no hurry to change that."

Jack Peat by Jack Peat
2021-02-11 12:10
in Politics
FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmailWhatsapp

Rachel Reeves has called on the government to publish the names of all companies on the government’s VIP fast lane for PPE contracts after Matt Hancock’s pub landlord scooped a £30 million deal following a text from the health secretary himself.

Raising the issue in the House of Commons the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said people on the list were ten times more likely to be awarded contracts, citing Pestfix and Hancock’s landlord among those who have cashed in.

Last year it was revealed that Alex Bourne, who used to run a pub near to the health secretary’s former home in his Suffolk constituency, won a contract to supply tens of millions of vials for NHS Covid-19 tests – despite having no previous experience of making medical supplies.

A pest control firm from Littlehampton in Sussex was also “added to the high-priority lane in error without a referral”. Although it only had net assets of just £18,000 it was awarded a £350 million contract to supply PPE to the NHS, some of which had to be discarded!

Rachel Reeves – If you were able to get on this VIP fast lane you were 10 times more likely to be awarded a contract, leading to Matt Hancock's landlord getting a contract… so when will the govt publish details of who was on the VIP fast lane & how they got there? pic.twitter.com/q7HDenD8MG

— Haggis_UK ?? ?? (@Haggis_UK) February 11, 2021

In the House of Commons today, Reeves demanded a list of all companies was released for public consumption, saying:

“If it is honestly about what you know, rather than who you know, then when will the government publish the details of who was on the fast lane and how they got there?”

But Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said: “It is the case that the Cabinet Office and the whole of government moved as quickly as we could to ensure those on the frontline received the equipment they needed…

“Every single firm that was recommended either to the Cabinet Office or the Department of Health and Social Care went through a rigorous policy to ensure they were capable of providing the equipment…”

In a statement after the Commons clash, Reeves said publishing the details would reassure the public that contracts were awarded on “what you know, not who you know”.

RelatedPosts

‘He’s done nothing’: Nigel Farage accused of only using Clacton ‘for photo opportunities’

‘They can’t organise a p*ss-up in a brewery’ – Steve Coogan rips into Reform

Reform back down to four MPs – as James McMurdock SUSPENDED from party

Donald Trump announces he plans to host UFC fight at the White House

“With cronyism concerns continuining to mount, this government must urgently publish the names of these companies to reassure the public that these contracts were awarded on the basis of what you know, not who you know,” she said.

“Waste, cronyism and inefficacy has marred this government’s pandemic procurement, but they seem in no hurry to change that.

“A Labour government would clean up this contracting and make sure procurement works for our public services and the British people.”

Related: ‘Too early’ to book summer breaks, PM says – but Hancock has already booked Cornwall getaway

Tags: Whatsapp

Subscribe to our Newsletter

View our  Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions

About Us

TheLondonEconomic.com – Open, accessible and accountable news, sport, culture and lifestyle.

Read more

SUPPORT

We do not charge or put articles behind a paywall. If you can, please show your appreciation for our free content by donating whatever you think is fair to help keep TLE growing and support real, independent, investigative journalism.

DONATE & SUPPORT

Contact

Editorial enquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Commercial enquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Address

The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE
Company number 09221879
International House,
24 Holborn Viaduct,
London EC1A 2BN,
United Kingdom

© The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE thelondoneconomic.com - All Rights Reserved. Privacy

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Lottery Results
    • Lotto
    • Set For Life
    • Thunderball
    • EuroMillions
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • JOBS
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE thelondoneconomic.com - All Rights Reserved. Privacy

← Really? We will do whatever is required to protect fishermen post-Brexit, claims Gove ← 20 best face masks available to buy online
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Lottery Results
    • Lotto
    • Set For Life
    • Thunderball
    • EuroMillions
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • JOBS
  • More…
    • Elevenses
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Tech & Auto
  • About Us
    • Privacy policy
  • Contact us

© The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE thelondoneconomic.com - All Rights Reserved. Privacy

-->