Just 15 buyers in charge of 14B in UK govt tech spending
Briefly

The UK government has only 15 staff focused on digital procurement for its £14 billion annual spend on tech suppliers, as reported by the Public Accounts Committee. The report calls for a major skills overhaul to improve management of these commercial relationships, especially in light of challenges in modernization efforts. While the government has plans for digital advancement, including a Digital Commercial Centre of Excellence aimed at fostering better contract negotiations and supporting smaller businesses, there remains a disconnect between its digital and procurement roles.
The UK government has only 15 commercial staff with expertise in digital procurement, which is inadequate given its spending of over £14 billion on tech suppliers.
The Public Accounts Committee highlights the need for a skills overhaul in managing commercial relationships with technology suppliers, citing poor outcomes in modernization.
The disparity between the number of commercial staff and the vast amount spent on technology emphasizes the urgency for the government to adapt to technological changes.
The establishment of a Digital Commercial Centre of Excellence aims to enhance negotiation on contracts and support the growth of smaller tech companies.
Read at Theregister
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