Louise Haigh: “We cannot afford to wait any longer before we change the system we inherited.”

For too long, [public] procurement has tried to tick too many boxes.

Every pound of taxpayer money should be spent in a way that benefits local communities — creating good jobs and giving young people the skills they need for the future.

These new rules will ensure the £90 billion that is spent each year through government contracts supports British jobs, skills and people in every postcode.

The chancellor John Healey and I have been very clear, if your business is bidding for government contracts to defend our country, then you will be judged on your commitment to backing high quality, British jobs.