The implementation of the UK’s Procurement Act 2023 has been delayed until 24 February 2025, due to the UK Government requiring more time to update the National Procurement Policy Statement.
Announcing a delay of almost four months from the original 28 October 2024 implementation date, Georgia Gould, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office said under the Act, the previous administration published a National Procurement Policy Statement that is not suitable.
“This Statement does not meet the challenge of applying the full potential of public procurement to deliver value for money, economic growth and social value,” she said.
“I have therefore taken the decision to begin the vital work of producing a new National Procurement Policy Statement that clearly sets out this Government’s priorities for public procurement in support of our missions.”
Gould added that she was confident the extra time would allow the UK Government to “prepare for a more seamless transition, ensuring a smoother and more effective implementation process for both contracting authorities and suppliers.”
The Procurement Act 2023, which will benefit suppliers of all sizes, will:
- Create a central digital platform for suppliers to register and store their details
- Make commercial frameworks more flexible
- Remove bureaucratic barriers and level the playing field for smaller businesses
- Ensure prompt payment for more businesses in public sector supply chains
- Include a stronger exclusions framework that will take tougher action on underperforming suppliers
“The Procurement Act 2023 aims to create a simpler and more transparent regime for public sector procurement that will deliver better value for money, and reduce costs for business and the public sector,” said Gould.
“This Government will use this legal framework to deliver greater value for money and improved social value, which will help raise standards, drive economic growth and open up public procurement to new entrants such as small businesses and social enterprises.”
