§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action the Department is taking to improve and increase(a) school and (b) local education authority IT procurement. [161235]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Government is making significant investment in ICT in schools and always looks to ensure schools get the best value for money from this investment. Currently through the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) we are supporting schools and LEAs by
aggregating procurements through the creation of framework contracts which deliver significant savings in price and considerably reduce the time and effort that would be needed (and duplicated) at local level;the recent agreement between Becta and Microsoft Ltd in relation to their licensing framework for schools provides significant savings of between 20 per cent. to 37 per cent. for schools in England who choose to license the Microsoft software. The agreement also extends to schools in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland;accrediting suppliers against strict commercial and technical criteria to provide assurance of quality service at affordable cost;681Wproviding procurement advice to schools and LEAs though the Becta Independent Procurement Advisory Service (IPAS) and online advice and support to schools on the total cost of ownership and the issues to be considered beyond just the cost of infrastructure equipment.