Scottish Government
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Monitoring of public procurement

New national indicators to monitor and improve public sector spending on goods and services have been introduced.

Analysis of the data will provide a vital tool in reforming public sector procurement, worth around £8 billion a year in Scotland.

Finance Secretary John Swinney said:

"Improvement cannot be delivered if you do not have reliable data about spending behaviour. I have already made clear there is no excuse for duplication of effort and disconnected contract arrangements.

"This is a significant step forward in our reform programme and the indicators set out the key areas where public bodies should be looking to improve their procurement performance.

"Using these indicators, procurement teams from the entire public sector will be able to monitor their own progress in improving efficiency, collaboration, compliance with contracts and e-procurement.

"Over time, this will lead to a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, using up-to-date information to make better procurement decisions and improve organisational processes - ensuring every pound spent achieves the best value for money."

The Best Practice Indicators for Public Procurement in Scotland suggest nine indicators to measure, including year on year savings, customer and supplier satisfaction and collaboration in contracts.

The Indicators were developed by a working group with representation from all parts of the public sector, including Local Authorities, Health Boards, Higher and Further Education and Government Agencies and NDPBs.

Related Information

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/05/28133348/0

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Procurement

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