House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts – Competition in public procurement

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The report “Competition in Public Procurement” by the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts addresses the UK government’s spending of £259 billion on procurement in 2021–22. It critiques the government’s lack of effective competition, suboptimal use of its purchasing power to support policies, and the absence of clear guidance and data to evaluate market trends. The report emphasises the necessity for better data collection, market engagement, and use of framework agreements to enhance competition and value for money in public procurement.

Recommendations include improving data use and quality, providing clear guidance for public authorities, managing framework agreements efficiently, leveraging purchasing power for policy objectives, and developing government-wide commercial expertise.