Author: Great Britain: National Audit Office

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2007-07-31

Total Pages: 52

ISBN-13: 0102946736

The procurement of public ICT equipment is forecast to increase from £2.7 billion in 2005-06 to £4.1 billion by 2010-11 (an increase in volume from 1.7 to 2.6 million units). It is therefore important that public bodies understand how they can generate value from disposals, whilst being clear about their statutory and ethical responsibilities. However best practice in this area is unclear. This report is the first attempt to identify the potential for getting value from ICT disposal, whilst considering the wider environmental costs. One of the findings is that on average the public sector keeps equipment for just under 5 years old when disposal becomes a net cost. The commercial sector typically disposes of equipment after 3 years when there is still some residual value. If this had been done by public bodies the estimated saving in 2005-06 would have been £70 million.