The Scottish Government has reduced its spend on publishing services by half, it was announced today.
The savings – a total of £5 million over three years – represent a 50 per cent reduction in spending on the Design, Print, Publishing and Associated Services (DPPAS) contract since 2006-07, exceeding the Scottish Government’s own savings target.
Spending on print alone was down by £2.8 million as the Scottish Government increased the number of web-only publications – up by 34 per cent in 2009-10. There were further savings on design, distribution, reprints and promotional items.
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney said:
“The work of Government should always aim to secure the best value for the taxpayer, while delivering the highest standards. The Scottish Government has taken a lead in securing greater value for the public purse and I would encourage the wider public sector to do the same.
“These significant savings exceed substantially our target savings under the previous contract. And in the current economic climate, when budgets are being squeezed by Westminster cuts, there is even greater urgency to achieve efficiencies wherever possible. Our challenge is to continue to build on this achievement under our new Framework contract.”
The total reduction in spend by the core Scottish Government since 2006-07 was 51 per cent – reduced from £9.8 million to £4.9 million.
The DPPAS contract ended in April 2010, when a new Framework contract came into effect.
