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A Domesday Book for public service contracts – better data, better value for money

Report type
Research and reports
Issue date
Executive Summary

A fair amount of data about tendering exists, but information about public service contracts is sparse and disjointed.

No systematic monitoring of outsourcing takes place within the NHS, policing, or local government, and data flows within Whitehall are unreliable.

The lack of coherent data constrains decisions by departments, NHS trusts and councils because they simply don’t know enough about companies and contract performance.

Better information would not just improve contract letting, it would make public bodies more accountable, improve productivity and help scrutineers of spending.

This paper proposes a central depository or office to collect data – a Domesday Book with contract details, company information, their remuneration and employment policies and contract performance. This depository would actively disseminate this data to all public bodies for use prior to any ‘make or buy’ decisions.

This paper will set out three actions for this new function:

1. Improve data collection on outsourced contracts

The Cabinet Office and Treasury have begun making improvements, but progress must be faster. The Cabinet Office should be given a greater role in collecting data from Whitehall, local authorities, police and crime commissioners, and the NHS.

2. A ‘Domesday Book’ for all contracts

A new public body should be set up that operates at arm’s length from central government. It would have statutory powers to require both commissioners and contractors from across the public sector to supply it with data. And it should maintain a ‘Domesday Book’ of all contracts including their performance on the outsourcing of services.

3. Major reforms to improve value for taxpayers from outsourcing

The National Audit Office should become audit supervisor for the whole public sector. And a new Office for Equity, Efficiency and Effectiveness should be established to maximise social and public value This new Office of the 3Es and the NAO should have a clear mandate to assess value for money, efficiency, effectiveness and equity when services are outsourced.

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