How we support the business
The Department is dependent on commercial partners for provision of goods and services that make up about 50% of Departmental running costs. Commercial partners can provide investment, products, expertise and experience needed to modernise our services. They therefore directly contribute to the DWP objective to "deliver welfare and structural reform, improve services to the public, increase productivity and deliver further value for money savings in order to live within it's four-year resource settlement, announced as part of the 2010 Spending Review." The Commercial Directorate's activity to get the best value from DWP commercial relationships will be an essential contribution to the Department's achievement of the efficiency challenges and helping the Government reduce the budget deficit.
Effective procurement and contract management is essential to secure the right level of service and value for money from our commercial deals. The Commercial Directorate provides assurance that procurements across the Department are:
- legal,
- follow a proper process,
- observe best practice, and
- deliver value for money.
We also provide commercial advice to improve contract and supplier performance and supply chain management. Through commercial relationship managers, the Commercial Directorate works with DWP and its businesses to:
- better understand the commercial implications of business change, and
- ensure commercial support is provided to key business initiatives.
The Commercial Directorate objectives and targets are linked to the wider roles of the DWP Finance Directorate to contribute to strategic planning and assurance, and in providing a range of shared services to the Department. The largest shared service the Commercial Directorate provides is managed by Estates covering national estates management services and support for Jobcentre Plus.
The Commercial Directorate objectives also support the Treasury / Efficiency and Reform Group (ERG) agenda to improve Government procurement and gain better value through cross-Government collaboration.
