The UK government is changing the way it – and the UK public sector as a whole – procures goods, services, and works, from February 2025. It is delivering this through a programme called ‘Transforming Public Procurement’. This article provides the relevant information and links from that programme for Made in Britain companies.
The Transforming Public Procurement programme’s aims include:
• More Flexibility: Allowing small businesses and social enterprises to compete for and win more public contracts.
• Simplify the system – a central digital platform: Creating a simpler and more flexible commercial system that better meets the UK’s needs while remaining compliant with international obligations.
• Enhance transparency: Embedding transparency throughout the commercial lifecycle with a new Procurement Review Unit (PRU) established to enhance public sector procurement practice by ensuring adherence to the Procurement Act and safeguarding public procurement from suppliers deemed to pose risk.
The Procurement Bill, which reforms existing procurement rules, has received Royal Assent. Members can view the new Procurement Act on the UK legislation website, and track its progress through Parliament with all supporting documents on the Parliamentary website.
The new regime is set to now go live on 24 February 2025, having been pushed back from October 2024. Existing legislation will apply until the new regime is in effect and will continue to apply to procurements started under the old rules.
To support preparation for the Procurement Act 2023, the UK government is publishing a suite of guidance documents addressing all aspects of the new regime. These cover subjects from transitional arrangements and covered procurement through to pre-market engagement, award rules, exclusions, and contract modifications. The guidance will be published in batches and arranged under the four stages of the commercial pathway: Plan; Define; Procure; Manage. View the guidance page.
To support the transition, the UK government has launched the first official training product: the Transforming Public Procurement Knowledge Drops. These provide a high-level overview of the changes and are aimed at those regularly interacting with procurement, including SMEs and VCSEs. Official Procurement Act 2023 e-learning modules are also available. These modules support practitioners in implementing the new regime and are targeted at operational procurement staff, including those who run tenders, let contracts, or manage suppliers.
Made in Britain companies may also wish to read and watch:
• Made in Britain hosted an online roundtable in September focused on the new Procurement Act and the commercial opportunities it will open for UK SME manufacturing companies. Participating companies had the opportunity to speak directly with Shirley Cooper OBE, Small Business Crown Representative, Cabinet Office, on behalf of the UK government. This event provided an in-depth understanding of how SMEs can gain better access to – and be more successful in bidding for – public contracts in the UK.
• Last year, Made in Britain conducted a session titled Win New Business and Supply Government in the UK - July 23, providing insights into how members can take advantage of government procurement opportunities.
Stay informed to ensure your business is prepared for these significant changes. If you have any further questions please email trade@madeinbritain.org
By Made in Britain 2 months ago | From members