Government confirms Buying Solutions move

Public sector procurement arm to move to Cabinet Office where it will form part of cost-cutting Efficiency and Reform Group

Blue-skies thinking: Changes are designed to help tackle Budget deficit

Public sector resellers will be watching developments closely following today’s announcement that government procurement arm Buying Solutions will be rolled into the newly formed Efficiency and Reform Group (ERG).

The government created ERG to help it lop £6.2bn off the public sector budget this year.

In a statement today, the government confirmed that Buying Solutions and the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) will now move to the Cabinet Office and will form part of the ERG. They were previously part of the Treasury.

Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude said: “The changes I am announcing today will bring together our operational capability to form a single strong but streamlined group to drive efficiency across government.

“By taking this really tough stance on inefficiency and waste, we can tackle Britain's massive budget deficit and bring order back to the country’s finances, whilst protecting vital frontline services.”

The government also confirmed it has beefed up the ERG with the appointment of three senior figures, including former government efficiency adviser Sir Peter Gershon.