Spending Review – Looking ahead to 25 November
On 25 November the Government will publish its 2015 Spending Review. With that date approaching, we look ahead to what we can expect to see through an assessment of governmental priorities, while looking at a number of key bodies and some of the things they’d like to see in the Review. During the last parliament […]
Increasing the Transparency of Contract Information to the Public
The latest Procurement Policy Note on transparency is a call to action for procurement professionals in the UK. Procurement Policy Note 13/15 – Increasing the Transparency of Contract Information to the Public – will take effect in September and contains important information pertinent to those publishing, and bidding for, public sector contracts. It is firstly […]
Efficiency Savings in Procurement
In 2010, the UK Government faced one of the biggest budget deficits in the EU. This led to the creation of the Efficiency and Reform Group (ERG). The ERG works in partnership with the Treasury and the various government departments to deliver efficiencies, savings and reforms. The aim of the ERG is to save money, […]
2015 Budget streamlines public sector spending
In the Government’s latest budget (8 July), Chancellor George Osborne outlined plans to streamline public sector spending. He set the goal of annually reducing the deficit by 1% of GDP, in keeping with the current pace of cuts in order to achieve a fiscal surplus (with Government income exceeding expenditure) by 2020.To meet this goal […]
Driving Efficiency Through Collaborative Procurement
The UK Government is estimated to spend around £230 billion on public sector goods and services in 2015 but even with such large figures, the public sector is facing ever-tightening budget restrictions. Public sector organisations are under constant pressure to deliver more value for less money; many are succeeding with the help of collaboration. Collaborative […]
Billions of savings proposed through smarter NHS procurement
In a recent report on health procurement, NHS Pathology Review Chairman, Lord Patrick Carter, forecast that £5bn annually could be saved by consolidating NHS England Trusts to use the same e-tendering portals and key performance indicators as well as by improving their orders and human resources. These guidelines were made in the Review of Operational […]
Key Areas of Public Procurement Impacted by Election Results
Key areas of public sector procurement will be affected by the spending pledges outlined in the Conservative manifesto, following the party’s victory at the 2015 General Election. Taking a close look at the party’s manifesto can give an insight into what to expect over the next five years of parliamentary business. Transport is set to […]
Your Essential Checklist for the EU Public Procurement Directives
The new EU Procurement Directives will be directly applicable to central government, its agencies, non departmental public bodies (NDPBs), wider public sector, local authorities and NHS bodies. Understanding the impact of the new EU Procurement Directive is imperative. Being prepared to adapt procurement strategies to match the new procedures and processes will save contracting authorities […]