Written question WQ96789
- Asked by
- Heledd FychanPlaid
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
What processes does the Welsh Government have in place to ensure that Welsh public money is not supporting companies linked to violations of international law?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language
Welsh Government has multiple safeguards in place to uphold its wellbeing goal of being a globally responsible Wales. The Procurement Act 2023, which came into force in February 2025, creates a clear set of rules outlining when a supplier must or may be excluded due to an exclusion ground applying.
In addition to this legislation, the Social Partnership & Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023, which comes into force early next year, includes socially responsible procurement duties which place a strong focus on global responsibility, ensuring suppliers adhere to fair work, human rights standards, ethical sourcing and global supply chain accountability.
Welsh Government also has an established Code of Practice on Ethical Employment in Supply Chains for organisations to sign up to. This includes 12 commitments designed to support ethical employment practices. There are now over 1000 organisations that have signed up to the Code.
Welsh Government wants to work with organisations that are proud of their reputation, what they deliver, and their conduct and integrity. As part of signing up to our standard grant award letter, grant funded bodies are required to sign and accept the standard terms and conditions, including obligations to “comply with all applicable domestic or international laws or regulations or official directives”.