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Housing Associations Ramp Up Tech Spend
ICT infrastructure takes center stage as housing associations increase tech investment to support digital transformation.
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🔍 Today’s Focus:
Daily Spend Watch: Tech procurement heats up—housing associations lead ICT spend, Tecnica Ltd gains momentum, and IT services dominate.
International View: Netherlands leans into pro services, Poland prioritizes healthcare and infrastructure—two paths, two strategies.
Opportunity Picks: £2.4M VAT Recovery Framework is looking for bold compliance partners.
News: UK-India secures £400M in trade wins, Somerset strengthens flood defences, and 🇬🇧🇳🇿 UK & NZ boost defence ties with a new drone contract, extended Ukraine support, and deeper naval cooperation..
Technology: GPT-4.1, Aqua Voice, and Extrovert—three tools redefining productivity.
DAILY SPEND WATCH
Public Sector Tech Procurement Snapshot
Technology procurement is heating up again. Between April 7 to 16, the public sector’s top tech contract reached £29,450 for ICT infrastructure. Housing associations are actively investing in upgrades, with Tecnica Ltd gaining traction as a preferred supplier. The biggest moves are happening in IT services and telecoms, with most contracts falling in the two to three-year range. It’s a balance between long-term stability and adaptability.
INTERNATIONAL VIEW
Netherlands vs Poland: Where Professional Services Meet Healthcare Focus
Two countries, two very different procurement styles.
The Netherlands keeps things focused. Most tenders come from municipalities, with strong demand for professional services like business consulting and HR. Poland, on the other hand, is booming with volume. It issued 164 tenders compared to the Netherlands’ 25, especially in healthcare and infrastructure. Think diagnostics, equipment, pharmaceuticals, and beyond.
If you’re eyeing the Netherlands, bring your A-game in knowledge economy services. For Poland, it’s about healthcare depth and infrastructure expertise. One’s about precision. The other scale.
OPPORTUNITY PICKS
Cardiff and Torfaen councils are offering a £2.4M framework opportunity for VAT compliance and recovery. They’re not just looking for standard support. They want innovation. A strong proposal would blend data analytics, legislative monitoring, and a clear system for identifying new VAT wins as rules evolve. If your solution helps councils reclaim more, faster, while building internal capability, you’re in a strong position.
Navigate Public Sector with Ease
Doing business with the UK public sector just got easier. PublicSectorExperts cuts through the complexity, providing the insights and guidance your business needs. From procurement strategies to policy advice, their network of professionals ensures you stay ahead. Plus, you’ll enjoy connecting with experts who make it simple and actionable for your success.
NEWS
Chancellor and Business Secretary secure trade and investment wins to boost the British economy. Agreements across the defence, financial services, education, and development sectors. Major announcements include Paytm UK investment, Barclays’ £210M capital injection, and HSBC expansion to 34 Indian cities as both nations work toward a Free Trade Agreement.
£9.7M refurbishment gives vital Somerset flood defense another 25 years of life. The Project protects properties, businesses, and habitats across the Somerset Levels and Moors. Partnership between the Environment Agency, Somerset Rivers Authority, and Defra delivers crucial infrastructure upgrade for the water management system operational since 1971.
The UK and New Zealand are deepening defence cooperation. PMs Starmer and Luxon announced extended support for Ukraine, a £30m drone contract creating UK jobs, and new naval deployments in the Indo-Pacific. Trade and tech links are also growing, with increased investment in agri-tech and emergency services.
TECHNOLOGY
GPT-4.1 is here. OpenAI’s new model delivers better coding performance, follows instructions more accurately, and comes at a lower cost.
Aqua Voice leads in speech-to-text, with lightning-fast speeds and ultra-low error rates across 49 languages.
Extrovert helps supercharge your LinkedIn game. It suggests comments in your tone and tracks your prospects’ activity, making social selling smarter.
TIP OF THE DAY
💡Want to build resilience into procurement? Diversify suppliers and include flexible delivery clauses in your contracts. It’s a smart way to buffer against inflation and disruptions.
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