The UK Government is planning to set up a new National Security Unit for Procurement and ban technology suppliers who could pose a security threat from specific sectors.
It has flagged up the measures as amendments to the Procurement Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, along with a plan to gradually remove Chinese suppliers of surveillance equipment.
The Cabinet Office has unveiled the plan, which comes in response to persistent concerns over a potential security threat from some Chinese companies providing surveillance equipment to the public sector.
Late last year the Government stated an intention to cut Chinese firms out of its estate surveillance systems, and more recently concerns have been raised over their role in providing equipment to police forces and local authorities.
Unit to assess risks
One of the amendments to the bill will involve the establishment of the National Security Unit for Procurement, which will be based in the Cabinet Office and investigate suppliers who may pose a risk to security. It will also assess whether companies should be barred from public procurements.
This is aimed at minimising the relevant risks and making it easier for contracting authorities to implement national security exclusions.
The other amendment will provide the Government with powers to ban suppliers from specific sectors, such as those related to defence and national security, while allowing them to continue to compete in non-sensitive areas.
In addition, the Government said it is committing to publish a timeline for the removal of surveillance equipment produced by companies subject to China’s National Intelligence Law from sensitive central government sites.
Number one priority
Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General Jeremy Quin MP said: “Protecting the nation’s security has always been the government’s number one job.
“These new measures will protect our sensitive sectors from companies which could threaten national security and are a firm deterrence to hostile actors who wish to do Britain harm.
“This builds on the robust rules within the Procurement Bill to hold suppliers to account and ensure that the taxpayer is protected.”
The Procurement Bill is due to go to its report stage in the House of Commons next week. It is largely aimed at making it easier for small businesses to win contracts with government bodies.
