New resources to help organisations compete fairly during tenders

The main bodies in charge of competition and public procurement in the UK have released a range of new resources aimed at reducing the potential for fraud and corruption in public procurement processes.

The most recent e-learning package brought out by the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) and the Crown Commercial Service focus on enabling organisations procuring services to stop bid-rigging and save taxpayers’ and businesses’ money.

In 2013/14 the UK public sector spent £242 billion on procurement of goods and services, of which around £60 billion is spent by local government. Evidence suggests that cartels – of which bid-rigging forms a part – overcharge by up to 20%.

The CMA is also writing an open letter to procurers to explain the issues and draw their attention to the new tool and has produced a 60-second summary and video to provide further information and advice.

David Noble, Group CEO of Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply , said: "We welcome this useful tool to help anyone responsible for public money to reduce fraud and corruption in the procurement process, and our members will welcome it too.

"This is too important an issue to allow these bad behaviours to colour the good that sound procurement and supply chain management brings to the public sector

Learn more about bid rigging and to access the new online tool

Read more CMA resources