To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether contractor relief identical to that set out in Procurement Policy Notice PPN 02/2 will be given from 31 October as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.
Answered on
16 November 2020
I apologise for the delay in replying to this question. PPN 02/20 was critical in ensuring departments provided contractual relief to suppliers to maintain delivery of critical public services. This was replaced by PPN 04/20, published in June, which set out how contracting authorities should put in place transition plans with their suppliers to ensure contracts are flexible enough to deal with potential future lockdowns. Departments remain able to provide contractual relief and can seek approval from HM Treasury for spend where there is a strategic business need.