Delivery at Risk, Billions on the Table: How Suppliers Can Win with DBT 

In 2023, the UK Government gave the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) a £4.9 billion budget, one of the biggest in Whitehall. 

So far, every major programme it’s running is flagged Amber. 

That’s not a typo. It’s a wake-up call. 

The National Audit Office’s latest report pulls no punches. DBT has big ambitions — from zero-emission vehicles to exports, investment zones to industrial strategy. But delivery? That’s the weak link. 

Below is what the NAO said and details of how suppliers like you can step in, solve problems, and win work. 

 📄 Read the full NAO report here. 

The Real Story: Big Budgets, Bigger Bottlenecks 

Let’s start with a quick reality check. 

The Export Support Service? Amber. 

The Automotive Transformation Fund? Amber. 

 
The Investment Transformation Programme? Also, Amber. 

Amber doesn’t mean failure, but it does mean risk. These are programmes with potential, but they’re being held back by delivery gaps, governance issues, or lack of clarity on outcomes. 

That’s where the opportunity lies. 

Smart suppliers, especially those who can de-risk delivery, prove impact, and align with DBT’s goals, are more valuable than ever. 

Sector Strategies = Spending Opportunities 

DBT is investing billions into strategic sectors: 

• £4.5 billion in advanced manufacturing (EVs, life sciences, green industries). 

• £160 million per Investment Zone, with a 10-year lifespan. 

• Major focus on supply chain resilience, innovation, and digital adoption. 

Suppliers must do more than show potential, they need to prove their capability. Clear delivery plans, tangible outcomes, and measurable impact are essential to meet DBT’s requirements. 

AutogenAI helps suppliers meet the UK Government’s infrastructure goals by creating high-quality bids that align with buyer priorities and exceed procurement expectations. 

Here’s how we help you win: 

• First drafts in minutes — Create structured, high-quality drafts that align with buyer priorities, fast. 
   

• Research Assistant — Add data and context from approved documents and reliable sources. 

• No hallucinations — Ensure all your content is accurate and validated with advanced retrieval-augmented generation (RAG). 
   

• Compliance Checker — Identify unanswered questions and gaps in coverage instantly. 
   

•  Content Library + Answer Bank — Access your strongest content with ease. 
   

•  Add Case Study + Add Statistics — Integrate impact and credibility with a click. 
   

If you’re serious about scaling your impact and winning public sector contracts, AutogenAI gives you the tools, speed, and accuracy to stay ahead of the competition. 

Exports and Investment Still Matter — But ROI’s Hard to Prove 

The UK aims for £1 trillion in exports by 2030, but measuring the ROI of government support remains difficult. For suppliers, this is an opportunity to offer tools and insights that can quantify impact and prove real-world results. 

AutogenAI supports you in building bids that go beyond promises and deliver concrete evidence of your impact and results, helping you stand out in a competitive market. 

COVID Hangovers, Fraud, and Financial Risk 

The NAO report also highlights legacy risk, including billions in business grants lost to fraud or error, and ongoing fraud investigations. DBT needs assurance, compliance, and effective governance to recover and avoid future risks. 

Suppliers who can deliver on these needs clearly, credibly, and at scale are the ones who will be in demand. 

All Amber. All Opportunity. 

Every flagship programme DBT is running is flagged as “at risk.” The upside, however, is clear: these programmes are feasible, funded, and ready for the right suppliers to step in and deliver. 

DBT needs: 

• Clear, outcomes-led delivery. 

• Measurable impact, fast. 

• Suppliers who don’t just promise—they prove. 

Let’s Be Honest. 

Too many suppliers still submit generic bids filled with buzzwords. You don’t have to be one of them. 

AutogenAI helps the best suppliers win the biggest contracts. Last year alone, our customers secured over £2 billion in government work, including contracts with DBT. AutogenAI helps you write faster, smarter, more strategically, and always with accuracy. 

Ready to position yourself as the supplier who delivers on DBT’s biggest programmes? Book a demo today and see how AutogenAI can help you win contracts by delivering clear, measurable outcomes faster and smarter.