To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to help support companies registered in Northern Ireland compete for UK-wide public contracts.

The Procurement Bill, currently being debated by Parliament, will create a simpler and more transparent public procurement regime that will make it easier for suppliers to bid for UK public contracts. Contracting authorities in Northern Ireland are included within the scope of the Bill, so companies registered in Northern Ireland will be able to compete for opportunities from those authorities as well as those on the UK mainland. Companies in Northern Ireland can already access UK public contracting opportunities worth over £12K on Contracts Finder.