With Ofwat set to limit future returns, there is speculation that water companies will seek an end to the framework system. But, as Dean Stiles reports, that may not be workable.rnThe value of work procured in the UK through frameworks runs to many billions: the largest 20 frameworks announced in the past year alone are valued at more than £19B, according to research by Barbour ABI.rnFrameworks work well especially when quality contractors are in short supply by offering a steady offering of future work. But recession has reduced work volumes and contractors are competing aggressively for business.
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