SNP MSPs have joined forces with the Tories to block a review of public procurement in Scotland.

Scottish Labour had called for the review amid concern about exploitation of workers and value for money.
The party’s economy spokesperson Jackie Baillie MSP raised harrowing tales of abuse of workers on public projects in Scotland, including sub-contractors working with failed outsourcing giant Carillion.
Ms Baillie also raised the case of a woman who had been employed as an agency worker for five years at Disclosure Scotland, meaning she does not get sick pay or holiday pay and has no job security.
But Nationalist MSPs joined forces with the Tories to vote down Labour’s call for a review, as well as the opportunity to ensure more small businesses are an increasing part of the procurement supply chain.

Scottish Labour’s economy spokesperson Jackie Baillie MSP said:

“The SNP has joined forces with the Tories to vote down Labour’s call for a review of public procurement in Scotland.
“That review would have helped end the horrific exploitation of workers on Scotland’s public projects, many of whom are on zero-hours contracts and have to pay umbrella companies just to collect their wages.
“Even the SNP government itself is carrying out employment practices more at home at Sports Direct.
“This Dickensian attitude to workers’ rights and public procurement must end