Focusing on contract management rather than price to achieve efficiency is vital, according to the results of a value improvement pilot scheme. The project, started in 2005 by then Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, used 11 pilot councils to improve procurement, contracting and contract management of supporting people services and improve outcomes for services users. Gross efficiencies of £2m, or 11%, were achieved on total existing annual contract prices of £17m. However, four of the pilots had to increase contract prices to achieve greater numbers of units or hours of support.
