OGC and Buying Solutions join Efficiency and Reform Group

The government moves to bring together its cross-government operational functions

The Office of Government and Commerce (OGC) and government procurement partner Buying Solutions are to become part of the newly established Efficiency and Reform Group in the Cabinet Office.

The Efficiency and Reform Group was set up after the election as part of the drive to cut £6.2bm from government spending. It will be charged with centralising procurement and freezing consultancy spending, amongst other things.

According to the government: "The Efficiency and Reform Group will have a strong mandate to ensure departments work together to tackle waste and improve accountability across all these areas."

According to Francis Maude, minister for the Cabinet Office, the move will bring together all the cross-government operational functions, including procurement, project management, IT and civil service workforce and reform functions.

Maude also announced that three senior business leaders will join the Efficiency Board: Sir Peter Gershon, chair of Tate & Lyle and first chief executive of the OGC; Lucy Neville-Rolfe, executive director of Tesco; and Dr Martin Read, non-executive director of Invensys, Aegis and Lloyd's of London.