Procurement Policy

The Welsh Assembly Government's procurement guidelines not only take account of value for money and best practice, but also seek to carry forward the Assembly's values on sustainability, social inclusion and equality. While changes in the law are reflected in updating the guidance, there is a need from time to time to review the principles behind the guidance. So today I am announcing to Members that the Welsh Assembly Government will be reviewing the principles and guidance which underlie the Assembly's procurement policy over the next 6 months.

The Welsh Assembly Government through the Welsh Procurement Initiative is already engaging in trials to evaluate how we can do more to support small and medium sized enterprises gain more business both from the Assembly and the rest of the public sector in Wales. A further trial is looking at how we can improve social inclusion through the employment of local labour. We are looking at how we can improve sustainability through the use of improved supply chains. All of the lessons learned here will be incorporated into the revised guidance and will comply with both European and UK legislation.

We will also be updating the guidance to conform with current best practice on the application of employment and diversity legislation. We will also be looking wider and will be considering the application of International Labour Organisation Codes.

When completed, we will issue guidance to the Assembly Sponsored Public Bodies and encourage other public sector bodies to follow the Assembly's lead. We will also review and update the Voluntary Code on Procurement good practice which we invite all Assembly suppliers to sign.

I know that many Members take a keen interest in the development of the procurement policies of the Welsh Assembly Government and invite them to write to me with any policies that they have concerns with."