The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has marked its 10th anniversary by achieving significant savings of over £3.8 billion in taxpayer money in the past year alone.
Since its establishment, the CCS has demonstrated remarkable progress in streamlining government procurement processes, enabling thousands of public sector organizations to procure services more efficiently while generating substantial savings annually.
With over 21,000 public sector entities now utilizing the central procurement system, including schools, hospitals, and prisons, substantial savings have been realized across various purchases, ranging from food to IT equipment. This has allowed these organizations to allocate resources to vital public services.
Over the past decade, the CCS has onboarded 10,000 suppliers onto its agreements, with a notable 88% growth in SME participation since 2014. This support for SMEs not only aids in securing contracts with the public sector but also contributes to a more competitive and diverse procurement landscape.
Alex Burghart, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, commended the CCS for its significant contributions over the past ten years, emphasizing the billions of pounds in savings achieved and the wide range of choices offered to public sector customers.
Simon Tse, CEO of CCS, expressed gratitude to the team and stakeholders for their dedication and collaboration, highlighting the agency's commitment to continued growth and success in its next chapter.
Established as an executive agency of the Cabinet Office, CCS was tasked with centralizing government procurement spend and enhancing value extraction from commercial activities. Through its commercial agreements, CCS provides public sector bodies with access to vetted suppliers, facilitating cost savings and improved contract terms and conditions.
In addition to its procurement functions, CCS is also responsible for enhancing commercial skills and capability across government and the public sector. Initiatives such as the investment in the NHS's common procurement platform, Atamis, have already demonstrated significant efficiency gains and cost savings, further illustrating CCS's commitment to driving value for taxpayers and public sector organizations alike.