Business issues

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.