Procurement
Good procurement - or purchasing - of goods and services by government ensures the public gets the right public services that provide good outcomes and offer value for money
Overview
All public bodies are under pressure to reduce spending, but they still need to maintain important services which people need. By procuring - spending - more effectively, the public sector can positively change the way many services operate. But that does require improved procurement skills and strong leadership to bring about change. It also means working more closely with providers from the private and third sectors as well as existing public sector
providers.
Improving procurement will mean a new approach to the relationship between the public and private sector. In 2011, we put together a Seven Point Plan for improving UK procurement which sets out the steps towards a more efficient and effective procurement system.
There have been significant changes in the procurement landscape. But we want to see the reform process spread across all parts of government, to ensure a more effective and mutually beneficial approach to maximising the value of public spending and delivering better results for the public and private sector.
In Autumn 2012, we carried out a survey of our members to assess progress at delivering procurement reform across the UK. The results highlighted the progress that had been made in driving policy improvements but also the need for a greater roll-out of reforms and a more joined-up approach to procurement reform as part of wider changes across the public sector.
News and publications

CBI responds to government defence procurement plans
The CBI responded to a statement from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on the Defence Materiel Strategy

CBI responds to NAO report on police procurement
The CBI responded to a report by the National Audit Office on police procurement

CBI comments on NAO report on improving government procurement
The CBI responded to a National Audit Office (NAO) Report on Improving Government Procurement

CBI gives evidence to Parliament on procurement reforms
The CBI have given evidence to the Public Administration Select Comittee on the performance of government procurement, highlighting the need to speed up the implementation of the Government's policy goals

CBI comments on MOD Defence Equipment Plan
The CBI commented on the publication of a 10-year Defence Equipment Plan by the Ministry of Defence

CBI comments on launch of new Government Commissioning Academy
The CBI commented on the launch of a new public sector Commissioning Academy

CBI comments on NAO Financial Sustainability of Local Authorities Report
The CBI commented on a National Audit Office Financial Sustainability of Local Authorities report

Councils, businesses and charities must take a fresh approach to partnership to weather financial storm, NLGN and CBI warn
Conversations between councils and independent providers of public services are stuck in low gear, creating a risk that councils will not be able to access the innovative new partnerships they need to manage growing demand, spending cuts and changing social needs

CBI comments on Government procurement reform programme
The CBI commented on the Government’s procurement reform programme, one-year-on since its launch, and on the publication of an £84 billion procurement pipeline of opportunities

Government Procurement still a painful process for business
The business community delivers its verdict on Government progress in reforming public procurement one-year-on from its White Paper
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