Written question asked by Alison Seabeck (Labour) on Thursday, 8 July 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 July 2010. It was answered by Lord Maude of Horsham (Conservative) on Wednesday, 21 July 2010 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Public Sector: Construction

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will establish with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills a working group to implement the recommendations on construction procurement in the public sector made in the National Audit Office report on Modernising Construction, HC (2000-01) 87.

Answer: I have been asked to reply.The National Audit Office report on Modernising Construction was published in January 2001. In its subsequent 2005 report 'Improving Public Services through Better Construction' the NAO concluded that there had been"““a considerable improvement in completing projects to time and cost and that real savings were being delivered, in particular, by departments and agencies which had adopted partnering and collaborative approaches to their construction work.””"The Efficiency and Reform Group and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will continue to work closely with Government clients and their suppliers to identify and drive out waste and inefficiency in construction procurement.

Secondary information