Mar 3, 2021 12:17 AM
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021...r-cronyism
INTRO: A new £800m government science and defence research agency will be exempt from existing procurement rules, prompting warnings from Labour that it could be used as “cover for cronyism”. Originally the brainchild of Dominic Cummings, the Advanced Research & Innovation Agency (Aria) will be more lightly regulated than a normal government body.
A press notice released on Tuesday to accompany the publication of the bill needed to set up the body said it would imitate the long-established US agency Darpa, which operates “outside standard government contracting” procedures.
The Aria bill, the government release added, will “provide the agency with exemption from the existing public contract regulations, enabling Aria to procure vital services and equipment with maximum flexibility so that it can carry out groundbreaking research at speeds rivalling a private investment firm”.
Ed Miliband, the shadow business secretary, said: “‘Maximum flexibility’ sounds like an excuse for no competition. The government’s procurement has been riddled by conflicts of interests and lack of transparency. Ministers must not use Aria as cover for further cronyism.”
Kwasi Kwarteng, the business secretary, said Aria would be “equipped with all the tools and freedoms it needs to succeed” including placing scientists at the heart of decision-making and “stripping back red tape”... (MORE)
INTRO: A new £800m government science and defence research agency will be exempt from existing procurement rules, prompting warnings from Labour that it could be used as “cover for cronyism”. Originally the brainchild of Dominic Cummings, the Advanced Research & Innovation Agency (Aria) will be more lightly regulated than a normal government body.
A press notice released on Tuesday to accompany the publication of the bill needed to set up the body said it would imitate the long-established US agency Darpa, which operates “outside standard government contracting” procedures.
The Aria bill, the government release added, will “provide the agency with exemption from the existing public contract regulations, enabling Aria to procure vital services and equipment with maximum flexibility so that it can carry out groundbreaking research at speeds rivalling a private investment firm”.
Ed Miliband, the shadow business secretary, said: “‘Maximum flexibility’ sounds like an excuse for no competition. The government’s procurement has been riddled by conflicts of interests and lack of transparency. Ministers must not use Aria as cover for further cronyism.”
Kwasi Kwarteng, the business secretary, said Aria would be “equipped with all the tools and freedoms it needs to succeed” including placing scientists at the heart of decision-making and “stripping back red tape”... (MORE)