Procurement revamp welcomed

The White Paper outlined a new approach by the Government to public procurement of contracts.

The Government intends to raise the quality of its procurement systems by monitoring their success in terms of quality and value for money. It also intends to boost the training of its procurement staff.

The move was heartily welcomed by the Building Employers Confederation.

A BEC spokesman said that the statement on public purchasing was of key importance to the construction industry: 'We particularly welcome the news that the Department of the Environment, working with the Treasury, will be developing good practice in construction procurement designed to combine best value for money - which we assume will involve evaluations on the basis of quality as well as price - with encouraging a strong and competitive industry.'

The BEC also welcomed the Prime Minister's decision to take a personal interest in the new initiatives through the Central Unit on Procurement's annual progress report.