Ms Róisín Fleming:

The Welsh have 99% micro-businesses. Their situation is similar to ours and they understand the importance of the spend. They look at getting the best value for every single Welsh pound. They look for the most economically advantageous tender referring to the full life cycle of the goods while looking at the economic and social benefits that the contract can have to the locality and the least possible environmental impact. If we were to take that as a starting point, as the remit for the Office of Government Procurement, it would certainly go a long way towards alleviating many of these problems. The most economically advantageous tender is extremely broad. It can include an after-sales service and technical support. Because schools suppliers give a professional service, 85% of us give good competent after-sales service and we provide information. This could be taken into account. Social value is very important because it can take job losses into account. It can take into account potential job creation. It can take into account taking people off the live register. It can take into account community groups. It can be sufficiently broad to incorporate all Government goals into procurement and give us a world-class procurement service.