Apprenticeships and Skills (Public Procurement Contracts) Bill

Key Points

• - Contracts let by public authorities would have to include a commitment by the contractor to provide apprenticeships and skills training.
• - The requirement would apply to the public sector procurement process, including related supply chains, with scope for additional connected provisions.
• - The bill links public procurement to workforce development in sectors such as housing, transport and technology.
• - It is sponsored by Catherine McKinnell (Labour Co-op) and is currently at the 2nd reading in the Commons.
• - Provisions would enable monitoring or enforcement through future stages as the bill progresses (e.g., Committee Stage and beyond).

Progress

The bill is currently at the 2nd reading in the Commons. If it advances, it would move to Committee Stage for detailed scrutiny, followed by Report Stage and Third Reading, before possible passage to the Lords.