Local government pandemic procurement study launched

A major study into how local authorities have managed their annual £100bn local procurement spend during the pandemic has been launched with a call for evidence.

The study, led by Stirling University and facilitated by the new Centre for Partnering, will look at supply chains, the impact of procurement spend on local economies and the delivery of social value during COVID-19.

The project, supported by the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, is funded by a grant from the Economic and Social Research Council and The MJ is a media partner.

Dr Richard Simmons, its project director, said: ‘This is an exciting opportunity to hear some of the hidden stories from the frontline of the COVID-19 response. Local authorities are at the heart of their communities’ safety, wellbeing and resilience, and we want to help them get as much as they can from the resources they have available.’

The study coincides with the government’s Green Paper on procurement which the House of Lords public services select committee this week criticised for focussing on finance over social value.

This article was first published in The MJ on 16 February, 2021