Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve procurement in the education sector; and if she will make a statement.

To improve procurement efficiencies in the schools sector the Department for Education works closely with the Crown Commercial Service and other public sector buying organisations to create deals which better meet school needs. Schools procurement guidance is available on GOV.UK together with practical steps that schools can take such as, encouraging schools to share market intelligence, expertise, and buying common items collaboratively to achieve economies of scale from the supply market.

The department works closely with representative school groups such as the Association of School and College Leaders and the National Association of School Business Managers to raise awareness of good deals available for schools and the benefits of adopting best practice procurement. To increase commercial capability and capacity in schools we have piloted a train the trainer programme which has been very well received.

Schools procurement guidance is published online at:

www.gov.uk/government/collections/departmental-advice-schools