§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what use(a) his Department and (b) its agencies are currently making of the Government Purchase Card; what savings he estimates are being achieved as a result; what plans he has to expand use of the card by his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [55168]
§ Mr. TimmsSince 1995 this Department has obtained Corporate Purchasing Cards under an existing banking services contract. All DSS business units have now agreed to transfer to the Government Procurement Card (GPC). A business case for this was prepared in July 1998. Subject to business case approval it is planned to run a competition for the DSS requirement between banks in the Treasury's GPC Master Framework.
Based on past experience in DSS cards like the GPC can improve the conventional order process and allow staff to achieve efficiency savings of about £10 per transaction. About 33 per cent. of DSS purchase orders are expected to be suitable for GPCs. The business case 964W indicates potential efficiency savings of about £1 million per year. The cards will save staff time and allow them to focus on higher value activity. The use of GPCs and related benefits and savings will be piloted in selected business areas. Subject to successful evaluation of these pilots general roll-out is planned for mid 1999.