Policy Reports

BSA Economic Tracker 2022 Report

This report reflects responses gathered through the first twelve editions of the Tracker running January to December 2022.

The BSA Economic Tracker was launched in January 2022 to provide a regular economic overview of the areas impacting the business services sector. It both reflects the importance of BSA members and the business services sector to the UK economy and provides an insight into the key areas affecting the sector. Anonymised monthly reports are passed on to BEIS and other key stakeholders, who have fed back how useful they have found members’ responses. Our anonymised summaries have also been shared with the Minister for Industry’s office and the Permanent Secretary.

The Tracker is refreshed and circulated with BSA members on a monthly basis. Each month, the questions were updated to reflect both members’ feedback and the wider economic landscape.

BSA Economic Tracker – Q1/Q2 Report September 2022

The BSA has now published the Q1/Q2 2022 Report from our Economic Tracker.

The BSA Economic Tracker was launched in January 2022 to provide a regular economic overview of the areas impacting the business services sector. In particular, this includes challenges relating to labour supply, the changing costs of goods and services, and supply chain disruption. This report covers the responses gathered through the first six editions of the Tracker.

Thank you to all those who have contributed through the editions covered by this report and please continue to respond to the latest edition here. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and members’ participation is strongly encouraged. We continue to use members’ feedback and insights to support our engagement with government stakeholders.

If you have any questions about the Tracker, or the work it is used to support, then please contact bsa@bsa-org.com

Statement of Best Practice in Partnership Working between larger businesses or VCSE organisations and SMEs

The document looks at ways in which partnership working has been developing and improving in recent years, and why this should continue to happen. It then shares some specific examples of best practice which BSA members have put into effect and which it hopes will be adopted elsewhere.

Summary: Contract catering in the UK

Contract catering is a vital part of the UK’s critical national infrastructure. The sector serves millions of people every day across the UK. This paper looks at the importance of catering across public sector settings, the characteristics of contract catering services, and the typical commercial considerations in each sector.

BSA/Polar Insight Procurement Survey – October 2020

In July 2020, the BSA and Polar Insight conducted a survey of members to understand more about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and factors relating to procurement.

Download the survey report here: https://www.polarinsight.com/bsaprocurementsurvey

BSA proposal for a temporary relaxation of apprenticeship rules in response to the Covid-19 health and economic crisis

In response to Covid-19, and for a temporary period, the Business Services Association’s Apprenticeships, Skills and Training Group proposes that Levy funds should be able to be spent on courses that are shorter than 12 months.

BSA submission ahead of Government’s Green Paper on public procurement

This paper suggests some areas where government may be able to use the opportunity presented by EU exit to reform further the public procurement process. It builds on the development and implementation of the Outsourcing Playbook and wider reform.

Getting Britain Going Again: The Levelling Up Agenda

The BSA’s Regional Panels have drawn together a paper on reopening Britain’s economy and how the role the sector has to play to further the Government’s Levelling Up Agenda.

BSA – Getting Britain Going Again

The BSA has produced a paper setting out the challenges and opportunities members have identified in the short and medium term, as the economy sets out on its recovery journey.

Business Services and Place-Based Inclusive Growth

This note summarises the contribution providers of business services make to inclusive growth. It also highlights the central importance of the commissioning process, in particular in the context of devolution to combined authorities and other bodies.

Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships: working with the business services sector

The BSA has published a new report ‘Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships: working with the business services sector’ outlining how the sector can contribute towards the success of STPs across four areas – a digital health service, transforming the estate, corporate services and sustaining the workforce.

Contract Catering: Quality, professionalism & adaptability

The BSA has published ‘Contract Catering: Quality, professionalism & adaptability’, showcasing the importance of contract catering services to the UK economy, to clients and to consumers. It includes case studies from BSA members.

BSA Annual Review 2017

The BSA has published its 2017 Annual Review: Connecting People and Places. This year’s Annual Review reflects on the dynamic and varied contribution of the business services sector across the UK. It features a series of case studies from BSA members highlighting their work across the country.

‘Just Another Paperclip?’ report by Professor Gary L. Sturgess

The BSA has published the ‘Just Another Paperclip?’ report by Professor Gary L. Sturgess on the market for complex public services.

The use of business services by UK industries and impact on economic performance

BSA Annual Review 2016 – Business Services: A Global Success

The BSA has published the 2016 Annual Review, looking at the support and services the business services sector provides across the globe. The Review includes case studies from a wide range of BSA members, demonstrating examples of best practice and examples of their work both domestically and internationally. Additionally, it highlights the significant contribution the business services sector makes with regards to transport infrastructure, communications, ICT services, UK exports and service transformation.