Scotland’s office equipment plans ‘save money’

A new approach to public sector procurement of office equipment and office machines has saved Scottish taxpayers £1.2 million, the government says.

Procurement Scotland (PS) has enabled innovative methods of purchasing IT office equipment via an online auction.

Examples of the savings involved include £150,000 in the purchase of 1,100 desktop and laptopcomputers and a deal by Grampian Fire and Rescue that meant they got two laptops for the price of one.

The aims of PS are to formulate national guidelines and practices involved in the procurement of common goods and services, including the purchase of office supplies and office equipment, worth about £8 billion a year.

Cabinet secretary for finance John Swinney said: "I’m looking to all parts the public sector to buy wisely and make the most effective use of their resources.

"As a first demonstration of the work of Procurement Scotland, I welcome the substantial savings of up to 56 per cent, which will allow money to be reallocated to other priorities."

The auction, which was run by PS, was attended by representatives from central government, councils and higher and further education.

An annual budget of more than £30 billion was managed by the devolved government for Scotland in the last financial year.