Procurement: The price we pay
Procurement is intended to ensure we get the best quality outcome for the best price. Why then is it seen as driving up costs? Why are the public sector being charged higher prices than the private sector? The Housing Forum's new working group on procurement costs has identified lengthy procurement and slow decision making as among the biggest and least acknowledged drivers of cost. Crucially, these costs accumulate without improving the quality, sustainability or safety of new homes we build.