Public Procurement and Property

Response to the Public Procurement Strategy for Scotland

June 6, 2023 by Melissa Reilly No Comments | Category Plan for the Future, Procurement news, Scottish Procurement

On 27 April 2023, we published the first-ever Public Procurement Strategy for Scotland. In the short video below, the Strategy was launched by Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance. (Transcript available at the bottom of this page). 

“The response to the publication of the first Public Procurement Strategy has been incredible. There has been a lot of support and some great questions about how we developed it, and what’s next in terms of embedding it. It’s great to see people thinking about how this strategy can support them operationally!” Kirsty Lamb, programme lead.

Developed by a cross sectorial working group, workstream members developed content based on the discussions, ideas and engagement activity. The new Public Procurement Strategy for Scotland is owned by the Public Procurement Group (PPG).  

This provides a clear vision and focused direction, supporting the whole Scottish public procurement community to align, to collaborate and to deliver positive outcomes with real impacts for the people of Scotland. 

Inspired by the collaborative approach taken to develop this strategy, the aspirations it contains reflect how we can collectively drive Public Procurement forward in Scotland.  

“This Strategy will allow us to truly maximise the benefits that can be achieved by procurement! It provides a clear vision and focused direction, supporting the whole Scottish public procurement community to align, to collaborate and to deliver positive outcomes with real impacts for the people of Scotland.”  Nick Ford, Director of Procurement and Property, Scottish Government  

The Strategy builds on the great work that Procurement has delivered already, and can be seen through the recently published Review of sustainable procurement in Scotland 2002 – 2022. This is an independent review that looks back over the past twenty years of sustainable public procurement in Scotland and other parts of the UK.

Kirsty Lamb presenting at Scotland Commercial Conference

Since the publication of the Public Procurement Strategy for Scotland, there have been a number of engagements to help raise awareness and understanding of it. This has included conversations across the 4 Nations and presenting at the UK Government Scotland Commercial Conference. An in person Heads of Procurement had a session considering best ways to embed the Strategy, and there are further plans to present to the Directors of Finance later in the year.

Subscribe to our blog to continue to hear updates on the Public Procurement Strategy for Scotland.  Look out for a new FAQs blog coming soon!

For further information on public procurement in Scotland please visit www.gov.scot/procurement

Please email enquiries to scottishprocurement@gov.scot

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Single speaker Transcript (Tom Arthur):

I’m delighted to announce the publication of the first ever Public Procurement Strategy for Scotland.

This strategy outlines the bold and ambitious plans we have for Public Procurement in Scotland.

It is a vision for a sustainable future, providing a clear way forward that all public sector bodies can align to and deliver against.

We must use public spending power to make Scotland a better place to live, work and do business.

How we procure goods, works and services should promote inclusive economic growth, create fair opportunities for all, and accelerate our just transition to a net zero economy.

Inspired by the collaborative approach taken to develop this strategy, the aspirations it contains reflect how we can collectively drive Public Procurement forward in Scotland.

To maximise the impact procurement can have, we must empower our procurement community to be bold, ambitious and innovative.

Working across sectors and boundaries to deliver Scotland’s economic growth now and into the future.

Tags: Plan for the Future, procurement news, Public Procurement Strategy for Scotland, public sector procurement, Scottish public sector, strategy

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