29 September 2006 | Rebecca Ellinor

Procurement is now expected to save almost half of the projected £21.5 billion Gershon savings.

It was thought purchasing would account for around a third (£7 billion) of the overall target for public sector efficiency savings, which are to be delivered by spring 2008.

But, at a fringe meeting hosted by New Statesman at the Labour Party conference this week, chief secretary to the Treasury Stephen Timms said he expects procurement will account for nearer £9 billion of the total.

supplymanagement.com understands the new calculation has been reached a result of more up-to-date information on how savings are categorised.

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