Jane Hutt, Minister for Business and Budget, has announced the go-ahead for three innovative projects to improve the way public services are delivered in Wales.

Announcing the projects at a meeting of the Efficiency and Innovation Board today, Jane Hutt said, ”These projects will support our continued drive to identify innovative ways of delivering efficient public services – particularly important given the current financial climate.”

“Firstly, I am delighted to announce an £11million investment to transform public sector procurement in Wales. The 5 year project – ‘Transforming Procurement through Home-Grown Talent’ – will raise procurement skills across the public sector and ensure we get the most for Wales from the £4.3 billion spent by the public sector each year. The project has secured the backing of £5.7million from the EU’s Convergence European Social Fund.

“Secondly, I am pleased to announce that the National Health Service has taken the pioneering decision to roll out the xchangewales e-Trading procurement function across the service in Wales.  Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is leading the way with their e-Trading system, which went live last week – and is expected to generate significant savings for the NHS.

“Thirdly, I am able to announce that we are opening the next phase of our Invest-to-Save Fund – with a new focus to ensure alignment with the strategic work of the Efficiency and Innovation Board.’