WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols is calling for tougher action to stop Government “cronyism” and to clean-up COVID procurement.
It follows a speech from Labour’s Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Rachel Reeves which talked about the urgent need for the Government to clean up its Covid procurement, after it has emerged that the Government spent almost £2 billion on ‘crony’ contracts going to Conservative party friends and donors.
In the speech, Reeves committed a Labour government to introduce the biggest wave of insourcing of public services back-in house for a generation as well as the creation of an Independent Anti-Corruption and Anti-Cronyism Commissioner.
Ms Nichols said: “Warrington residents are being shortchanged by this Government’s cronyism. For taxpayers in Warrington, many of whom have worked on the frontline during this pandemic, it is extremely distasteful to see the Government allow its donors to make a profit out of this crisis.
“The Government have spent nearly £2bn in contracts to companies that have links to the Conservative Party- money that would have paid for free school meals for all eligible children for 3 years.
“They need an urgent change of priorities to build our country back after this crisis is over.”
