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Cliff Jones, the senior policy and performance manager of Procure 21, issued the caution to an audience of senior executives at the Delivering Future Healthcare Estates conference hosted by 好色先生TV last week.

He also warned firms that they would have to inform the NHS in advance of all changes in their supply chains and collaborate with other framework members.

Jones said there would be 鈥渃onsequences鈥� if contractors鈥� performance failed at any point, and they would be 鈥渢hrown off the framework鈥� if they failed to rectify it.

The deadline for expressions of interest in Procure 21+ is 9 July. Hundreds of firms are expected to bid.

We will carry out regular audits and will follow up any companies reported to us

Cliff Jones, Procure 21

The 30-day payment period is laid down in the Office of Government Commerce鈥檚 fair payment charter. Jones said: 鈥淲e will be carrying out regular audits to check payments are being made, and we will follow up any companies reported to us,鈥� he added.

Although this rule is also applied to the existing Procure 21 framework, through which eight principal supply-chain partners have received 拢3.6bn of work, a framework source said it had not been enforced.

Rudi Klein, chief executive of the Specialist Engineering Contractors鈥� Group, welcomed the news, but added: 鈥淭his is encouraging 鈥� Procure 21 has been ahead of the game when it comes to promoting best practice. However, if they really want to implement this, they should consider project bank accounts.鈥�