For too long large firms have enjoyed the immense benefits that come from public sector contracts, but have failed to protect the public good.

In my role as Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, I will have responsibility for these government contracts if Labour is elected to government.

So, I have announced that in order to win public sector contracts firms will have to take radical action on climate change.  This will mean firms will have to follow strict environmental standards on energy use, emissions and waste disposal, while taking measures to aid the transition to a net-zero economy.

Those that don’t will be prevented from winning future contracts.

The UK government spends £284bn in the private sector each year, making these contracts a powerful lever for change.

Labour is already committed to introducing a presumption in favour of insourcing, but for the billions of pounds worth of goods and services the government will have to continue to procure from the private sector, we will require companies to meet strict standards on trade union recognition, late payments and tax compliance.

The requirement to take radical action on climate change is the latest of these measures, and its announcement comes a few weeks after Labour declared a national environment and climate emergency in Parliament.

For the original announcement of this policy please visit the following link: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/31/labour-businesses-public-sector-contracts-climate-emergency