GovWire

This is intended to help you understand and interpret the data published by the Home Office, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies.

Background information

The government procurement card (GPC) is a branded purchasing card, not a credit card.

It is provided through a framework agreement between Government Procurement Services (the national procurement partner for UK public services) and 6 card issuers. Barclaycard is the card issuer for Home Office.

GPC is an efficient solution specifically for low risk, low value purchases and enables government to buy from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

What are the benefits of GPC?

• access to data to help monitor spend and budgets more effectively

• reducing the number of invoices: card transactions are consolidated and paid centrally, with no risk of interest charges

• saves money and provides efficient processes

• electronic cardholder statements, supporting sustainability by reducing paper and resultant waste

What are the benefits of GPC to SMEs?

• prompt payments in line with government initiatives

• improved cash flow

• reduces bad debt and late payments

• reduced administrative costs

GPC policy and procedures

Use of the GPC is governed by the Home Office government procurement card policy that is derived from the central government procurement card policy.

GPC is not permitted to purchase alternative goods or services which are available on Home Office contracts.

GPC transparency

In support of the governments transparency agenda, the Home Office are publishing details of all transactions of 500 and over. The data published will include the:

• transaction posting date

• reference number

• merchant name

• transaction amount

The data are published monthly, 2 months in arrears.