Next Steps for Public Procurement

Wednesday, 23rd April 2025

It will be an opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to assess priorities emerging in the early implementation of the Procurement Act 2023, following it coming into effect in February 2025, including how public bodies and suppliers are adapting to the new rules.

Overall, areas for discussion include:

• implementation: early indications following the Procurement Act 2023 going live – assessing implications for public bodies – impacts on procurement processes – compliance issues
• value for money: simplifying procurement processes – leveraging the Central Digital Platform – improving oversight mechanisms – role of the Office for Value for Money
• skills development: strategies for enhancing procurement capabilities – promoting best practices – support from government initiatives
• social value: integration into procurement – contractual obligations and challenges – impact on employment standards – implications of the Employment Rights Bill
• modern slavery: tackling slavery and human trafficking in supply chains – implications of NHS Procurement Regulations 2024 – strategies for ethical best practice
• SMEs: addressing barriers for small businesses – growing procurement spend on SME goods and services – options for flexible tendering procedures – fair payment practices
• procurement fraud: vulnerabilities to anti-competitive behaviour – role of CMA and Public Sector Fraud Authority – opportunities for AI and new technology in countering fraud
• procurement models: assessing insourcing and outsourcing – lessons from prominent business collapse – impacts on public service delivery
• national policy: development of the NPPS – integrating procurement with government objectives – alignment with net zero and economic growth – setting priorities for mission-led procurement
• industrial strategy: leveraging procurement to support priority areas and boost growth sectors – alignment with Invest 2035 – linking procurement to industrial missions