According to new media reports, Frances Maude has said that the first cross government procurement deal on Whitehall printing services that has been agreed will replace 140 separate deals and will save the public purse over £20m.
The coalition government has made tackling inefficient procurement a key aspect of its efficiency agenda. The Cabinet Office has appointed a dedicated team in June to negotiate Whitehall wide contracts for widely used goods and services.
The printing service was the first deal arranged under the new structure. According to the agreement, the current supplier to HMRC printing services, Williams Lea will act as a central supply chain manager for all entire central government departments.
Mr. Maude hailed this as a good first step but argued: “The need to make a significant step-up in capability if we are to deliver on the challenges ahead of us.”