Last week a DCLG report claimed that better procurement policies could save Local Authorities money (£450 per household we are told). The recommendations focus on making better use of data, bulk buying and shopping around.
This focus on costs will disappoint those who think that local authorities should be using local procurement to help protect local jobs. I do not share this disappointment because, while I don't have any evidence with which to assess the value of savings suggested by the report, I think the focus on costs is right for reasons that I laid out late last year.
CEP Urban and Spatial Programme Blog (formerly SERC)
