CC applauds public sector procurement report

The Construction Confederation (CC) has welcomed a National Audit Office (NAO) report into public sector construction procurement which recommends government departments should create more certainty in the market by providing longer-term funding.

The report backs the CC’s sustained campaign for more continuity and consistency in work flow in the Government’s infrastructure investment programme.

The report, Improving Public Services through Better Construction, says a more long-term approach to funding would maximise the benefits of collaborative working. Its list of nine recommendations also calls for construction procurement decisions to be based on whole life value.

Sir John Bourn, head of the NAO, concluded that since his 2001 report there had been “a considerable improvement in completing projects to time and cost”  and real savings were being delivered, in particular by departments and agencies which had adopted partnering and collaborative approaches to their construction work.

He added: “The reasons for improved performance are varied but guidance and support provided by the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has made a considerable contribution.”

CC chief executive Stephen Ratcliffe said: “The report reinforced points we have been making for some time, not least the importance of  more certainty in a long-term public sector investment programme.

“It is also significant that the areas showing the greatest improvement are those which follow OGC guidance on procurement best practice.

"We are keen to see the OGC given even greater teeth, particularly where government procurement policy can encourage good health and safety management.”