WIREDGOV

As part of its industrial strategy, the Government will share more details of future projects and contracts transparently with industry to stimulate growth and help businesses forward plan, Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude announced today.  Four new industry sectors added to the procurement pipelines increase the value of published opportunities to up to £84 billion.

The Government began publishing future public sector contract opportunities in November 2011, enabling suppliers to invest in their business and build their skills base. Previously, the lack of certainty about Government’s buying needs prevented many businesses from planning ahead effectively and bidding competitively for government contracts. 

Francis Maude said:

We are determined to make it easier for firms of all sizes to compete for and win Government business so we can leverage our spending on suppliers to help the economy grow.  By providing industry with pipelines showing future opportunities, businesses will have the confidence and time to invest in relevant skills, labour and capabilities to win these contracts. 

"These new pipelines will allow UK-based suppliers to plan ahead and win Government contracts – whether they are large-scale country-wide building projects or a contract to provide local authorities with sustainable office supplies.

"We have now published pipelines for up to £84 billion of future Government business, but there is still more to do.  Future procurement plans need to be more comprehensive and cover more sectors because I want to encourage all businesses, including SMEs to look at these opportunities and plan for the future."

Today’s data is accompanied by two assessments published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills looking at how future capability requirements could be met though developing skills, increasing apprenticeships and training:

• Building Information Modelling – a pioneering UK-led ICT solution to share building plans with multiple contractors working on a building project. 
• Renal Care – to address the growing requirement for innovative technology to help people receive treatment at home.

 Business Minister Michael Fallon said:

A key part of our industrial strategy is nurturing partnerships with industry where a long term approach can pay off – procurement is a prime example of this. By being a better customer, Government can help industry see where there will be demand in the future and give them the confidence to invest and grow their business.

Notes to editors

1. Data on contracts can be found at http://www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/. The four new sectors created today are professional services, financial services, waste management, and fire services. The remaining sectors covered include:

• Construction
• Aid/international development
• Clinical and Medical life sciences
• Police services and equipment
• Probation and offender services
• Welfare to Work
• Energy and Utilities
• ICT
• Office Solutions
• Print and Print Management
• Property and FM
• Travel
• Vehicles
• Advertising and Media

2. The Government’s industrial strategy is about looking to the future, presenting a long-term, whole of Government approach to supporting British business, giving them the confidence they need to invest, hire staff and grow. Long-term strategies are being developed in partnership with industry in key sectors including aerospace, nuclear, and the information economy - the first will be published in the coming months.

3. Two strategic assessments were published today by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills looking at how future capability requirements could be met though developing skills, increasing apprenticeships and training in the areas of Building Information Modelling and Renal Care: http://www.bis.gov.uk/publications