As part its commitment to change the way that Government does business, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude has outlined new plans to improve the way that Government deals with its major suppliers.

From now on, ‘Crown Representatives’ will ensure that Government receives the best value for money, by ensuring that the Government acts as a single customer. They will put an end to the days when departments were able to sign up – without any central control or coordination - to a series of different contracts with the same supplier.

The Crown Representatives group will also be responsible for developing ‘emerging players’ to the market, ensuring best value through new competition for public contracts.

These appointments follow the renegotiation of contracts with over 50 suppliers since July last year. The renegotiations have saved the Government £800 million in 2010/11.

Francis Maude said: “Our priority is to make sure the taxpaying public gets the best possible deal - and one of the ways of doing this is to ensure we’re really using the scale of government to push down prices. That is why any dealings with our big suppliers have to be coordinated and our approach has to be strategic – the new Crown Representatives will make sure this happens.

“Today’s announcement shows that we were serious about changing the way that Government does business. We have already saved £800 million since May by starting to establish Government as a single customer. But, in doing this we also recognised that we need better, more efficient relationships with suppliers over the long term."