E-commerce offers purchasers the opportunity to play a more strategic role in the future, says Roy Ayliffe
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The new electricity trading arrangements, designed to improve competition in the energy market, may be delayed beyond the expected 21 November start date, according to the Competition Commission. The commission is investigating whether generators should have a new clause in licences to prevent unfair price rises.
The government has earmarked an extra £25 million for green energy projects in a boost to funding that doubled this year from £9 million to £18 million. The additional funds will come from the expected £50 million surplus on the climate change levy.
The Spanish government has announced plans to speed up its utilities deregulation. The deadline for open competition for gas is to be brought forward from 2007 to 2002 and the Spanish government is set to shorten the 10-year transition period for the electricity industry. Open access to the local telephone market from January 2001 is also being considered.
E-commerce industry group e centre UK has set up a Scottish legal advisory service. Roger Till, e centre’s executive director, said he hoped that the Scottish Legal Group, which was launched last month, would be a success in lobbying politicians in the UK and Europe.
First-rate purchasing in the NHS is vital, but it shouldn’t be a board-level issue, argues Professor Brian Edwards
Most engineering companies have a customer service policy, but 82 per cent believe their sector trails behind other sectors in this area, according to a recent survey.
The number of global automotive suppliers will fall sharply over the next eight years as car manufacturers source their parts from fewer and larger firms, according to the industry’s European trade body. The European Association of Automotive Suppliers (Clepa) has predicted that supplier numbers will drop from 2,000 to just 150 by 2008.
The National Farmers’ Union is to report food retailer Safeway to the Competition Commission over its request that suppliers share the costs of a sales campaign. Safeway sent letters to 300 of its key suppliers last month asking them for a one-off £20,000 for each of their product lines they wished to be included in a drive to guarantee customers full availability.