Reform UK Shadow Chancellor Robert Jenrick said the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, introduced by the Conservatives under David Cameron in 2012 and kept in place by Labour, has allowed “eyewatering amounts” of public money to be wasted on political box-ticking rather than value for money.
Jenrick explained how, under the existing rules, companies bidding for government contracts must show how they will “create positive action programmes to promote diversity”, “work towards Net Zero emissions” and even “influence their customers to do so too”. They are also expected to develop “inclusive” hiring practices, provide help with English language proficiency and raise awareness of modern slavery, “including by running online campaigns and working with NGOs”.
Jenrick referred to these requirements as “nonsense”, warning that they affect how “hundreds of billions of pounds of your money is spent”.
He said the system created by the Public Services Act has shifted government procurement away from its proper purpose: delivering high-quality services at the best possible price for the taxpayer.
“A Reform government will scrap the social value test and focus on two things”, Jenrick said, “creating jobs and investment in Britain” and “delivering value for money for you, the taxpayer”.
Jenrick also said that Reform UK would “unashamedly back British firms, buying British wherever possible”. He added that simplifying procurement would “cut out the distractions so that companies are focussed on the things that matter”.
Removing these bureaucratic requirements would “make it a level playing field for smaller companies to compete against big corporations again”, which can afford dedicated teams to navigate government red tape.
This is just one more policy that proves Reform UK is taking its preparation for government seriously. While the Labour-Tory uniparty created and upheld a system of woke waste, Reform UK is planning to tear it up from day one. Only Reform UK will put British jobs, British firms and British taxpayers first.
Robert Jenrick: Reform Will Scrap “Ridiculous” Contract Rules and Buy British
Senior Reform UK politician Robert Jenrick has pledged that a future Reform government would abolish what he described as “ridiculous” public procurement rules and introduce a stronger “Buy British” policy designed to prioritize domestic businesses in government contracts.
Speaking about the party’s economic vision, Jenrick argued that the current procurement system is overly bureaucratic, unnecessarily complex, and often disadvantages British manufacturers, suppliers, and small businesses. He said Reform believes taxpayers’ money should be used to strengthen the domestic economy by supporting British companies wherever possible.
“Our public procurement rules have become ridiculous,” Jenrick said. “British taxpayers expect government contracts to benefit British workers, British businesses, and British communities. Reform will put Britain first when spending public money.”
According to Jenrick, billions of pounds worth of government contracts are awarded every year across sectors such as infrastructure, defence, healthcare, transport, and technology. He argued that many of these contracts could do more to support domestic industry rather than relying heavily on overseas suppliers.
The proposed “Buy British” policy would encourage government departments and public authorities to give greater consideration to British-made goods and services when awarding contracts. Reform says the approach would help create jobs, encourage investment, strengthen manufacturing, and improve long-term economic resilience.
Jenrick emphasized that the policy would not mean excluding international competition entirely. Instead, he argued that procurement rules should place greater weight on the wider economic benefits of supporting domestic businesses, including job creation, regional development, and national security.
Supporters of the proposal say many countries already prioritize domestic suppliers in strategic sectors. They argue that Britain should adopt a similar approach to protect critical industries and reduce dependence on global supply chains, particularly after recent disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions.
Reform also argues that simplifying procurement rules would make it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to compete for public contracts. Many smaller businesses currently find the bidding process expensive, time-consuming, and heavily weighted in favor of large multinational corporations with dedicated legal and administrative teams.
Jenrick said reducing unnecessary bureaucracy would lower costs for businesses and enable more innovative British firms to compete on a level playing field. He believes this would increase competition, improve value for taxpayers, and stimulate economic growth across the country.
The proposal forms part of Reform UK’s broader economic agenda, which emphasizes lower taxes, reduced regulation, support for domestic industry, and increased investment in manufacturing and infrastructure. Party leaders argue that Britain should become more economically self-reliant while remaining open to international trade.
However, critics have questioned whether a broad “Buy British” policy could conflict with the United Kingdom’s obligations under international trade agreements, including commitments made through the World Trade Organization and various free trade agreements. These agreements generally require governments to avoid discriminating against foreign suppliers in many areas of public procurement.
Economic analysts also note that restricting competition could, in some cases, increase costs for taxpayers if domestic suppliers are unable to match the prices or capabilities of international competitors. Others argue that open competition encourages innovation and helps ensure the best value for public money.
Reform rejects these concerns, insisting that procurement should take into account more than just the lowest initial price. The party argues that supporting British businesses generates additional tax revenue, creates skilled employment, strengthens supply chains, and improves national resilience, producing wider economic benefits over the long term.
The debate reflects a broader international trend toward industrial policy and economic security. Governments in several advanced economies have introduced measures to support domestic manufacturing, particularly in sectors such as defence, energy, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and green technology. Reform believes Britain should adopt a more assertive strategy to protect key industries and ensure that public spending contributes directly to national economic prosperity.
Jenrick concluded by arguing that procurement reform represents common sense rather than protectionism. In his view, government purchasing power should be used strategically to support British workers and businesses while delivering value for taxpayers. He said Reform’s proposed changes would simplify the system, reduce bureaucracy, and ensure that more public money remains within the UK economy.
Whether these proposals gain broader political support remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the debate over public procurement, domestic manufacturing, and economic sovereignty is likely to remain a significant issue in British politics as parties compete to present their visions for the country’s economic future.