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Procurement

Public services can either be delivered in-house or purchased from external providers in the private or third sector. Roughly a third of all public expenditure goes on procurement, totalling £292 billion in 2018-19. It is therefore crucial to assess how goods and services are being purchased and examine what different departments are spending their money on.

In addition, while much of this spending results in efficient and effective public services, prominent outsourcing failures have emphasised that more can be done to improve public procurement and ensure high quality, value-for-money services in the long-term.

Fact Sheet: Commissioning and Contracts
How do commissioners choose the right payment models?
  • Research
The Price of Poor Procurement media coverage
On Monday 21 October, Reform published ‘The Price of Poor Procurement: the argument for an independent regulator’.
  • Press
The Price of Poor Procurement – the data
Analysis of fifty-two published reports from investigations conducted between 2016 and 2019 into procurement contracts.
  • Research
The Price of Poor Procurement – full report
Based on investigations conducted over the past two years, poor procurement has cost the UK taxpayer £14.3 billion. It's time for an independent regulator. Government, providers and citizens need an Ofpro.
  • Research
The (Out)sourcing Playbook V2.0
With Gareth Rhys Williams, Government Chief Commercial Officer, Cabinet Office
  • Events
Fact Sheet: Procurement
Government spent £292 billion purchasing good and services in 2018-19 - and procurement spend is rising.
  • Research
The case for transparency in Social Impact Bonds
£56 million of potential outcome payments were promised to investors for completed SIBs, only £6 million has been publicly declared
  • Blog

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