Tackling poor procurement practice in the public sector

22 Oct 2020 01:07 AM

Cabinet Office encourages suppliers to use their free Public Procurement Review Service.

One of the measures introduced by the Government to support businesses – particularly SMEs – in working with the public sector is the Cabinet Office’s Public Procurement Review Service (PPRS).

The PPRS investigates concerns raised by suppliers and potential suppliers relating to public procurement practice – for example, about the structure of a tender process – and, importantly, the late payment of valid and undisputed invoices. The service is free to use and suppliers can remain anonymous.  

So far, the PPRS has helped suppliers to reclaim over £8 million from late payment cases reported to the service. Last year alone, 100% of its recommendations were accepted by contracting authorities, resulting in the adjustment of live procurements or the improvement of future procurements.

Further information about the PPRS’s work in identifying key public procurement issues faced by small businesses is available in their latest Progress Report.

If you’d like to learn more about how the PPRS can help your business, watch this brief, useful video or get in touch with the team at publicprocurementreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.