Procurement Act 2023 implementation date delayed: Here’s what you need to do now
The implementation date of the Procurement Act 2023 has been delayed by four months, the government has announced.
Initially planned for 28 October 2024, the Act will now come into force on 24 February 2025.
In a ministerial statement published online, the Cabinet Office said the delay will allow time for a new National Procurement Policy Statement to be produced.
Marking a significant departure from EU-derived laws, the Act, which received royal assent on 26 October 2023, marks a transformational shift in regulating how the public sector purchases goods and services.
It unifies various regimes under a single framework that oversees public contracts, utilities, concessions, and defence and security procurement.
Louise Bennett, senior associate specialising in public procurement at UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson, said: “A four-month delay to the implementation of the Procurement Act gives much-needed breathing space to public authorities, a large number of which understandably weren’t ready for the significant changes it brings due to the late arrival of statutory guidance.
“This legislation will fundamentally transform how the public sector purchases goods and services, with an overarching principle of ensuring it delivers value for money, maximises public benefit and acts with integrity throughout a procurement exercise that should also continue to focus on equal treatment to bidders.
“It places a greater emphasis on transparency, supplier performance and non-financial criteria such as quality, local job creation and environmental impact.
“This requires public authorities to review procedures and skillsets within their organisation before the Act comes into force, while contract management should be top of the ongoing strategic considerations in order to run smooth procurement exercises.
“They would be wise to use the extra time afforded by the government to ensure they are up to speed on the new regulations and have everything in place so they are now ready from 24 February next year.”
You may be interested in...
Legal Update
Funding withdrawn for trusts and academy conversions
Legal Update
Martyn's Law: A closer look at the UK's new proposed anti-terror measures
Legal Update
New High Court case on exclusion reconsiderations
In Person Event
Claims Club: Birmingham
In Person Event
Claims Club: London
Opinion
Power for local authorities to conduct compulsory rental auctions of vacant high street properties to come into force next month
Legal Update
Building an inclusive workplace: strategies for attracting and retaining disabled talent
Legal Update
What will the new RISE Scheme mean for schools and academy trusts?
On-Demand
Kinship care: DJ v Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and SG
Legal Update
Roundtable report: Community engagement in high street regeneration
In Person Event
Public sector planning club
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public matters: October 2024
Legal Update
New amendments to the Civil Procedure Rules and their impact
Press Release
Browne Jacobson sponsors public sector think tank on new report
Online Event
Navigating subsidy control regeneration and infrastructure projects webinar
Legal Update
Supreme Court clarifies public authority liability: Police duty of care in negligence cases
Press Release
Browne Jacobson advises London Borough of Sutton on major town centre regeneration
Legal Update - Employment Rights Bill
Labour’s employment law reforms: Employment Rights Bill unveiled
Legal Update - Procurement Act
Procurement Act delay: What’s the impact for higher education institutions?
Press Release
Browne Jacobson to provide legal services to public bodies across UK after appointment on inaugural YPO framework
In Person Event
Building social mobility in construction
Legal Update
Balancing acts: Navigating the complex risks in adult social care provision
Legal Update - Procurement Act
What suppliers to the Welsh public sector need to know about the Procurement Act 2023
Legal Update
What the UK Covid-19 Inquiry means for higher education providers
Press Release
Browne Jacobson and CBI roundtable explores how to finance public infrastructure post-PFI
Training
Register your interest to join our next Home Delivery Academy
Legal Update
What does the Supreme Court decision in Tesco v USDAW mean for NHS employers?
Legal Update
Hybrid working, the right to flexible working and how to make it work for public sector employers
Legal Update - Procurement Act
Modification of contracts existing before the go-live date of the Procurement Act 2023
Legal Update - Procurement Act
Decisions of the Independent Patient Choice and Procurement Panel
Legal Update
Strike breakthrough: Junior doctors agree to pay deal, ending prolonged industrial action
Legal Update
A balancing act: Navigating between positive action and discrimination in the workplace
Legal Update
Vicarious liability for kinship foster carer abuse: Implications for local authority insurers
Legal Update
Labour's recipe for reform: The future of food and drink regulation in the UK
Legal Update
Delivering EV charging infrastructure: The local government perspective
Legal Update - Procurement Act
The Procurement Act 2023: What’s changing and getting prepared
Legal Update - Procurement Act
Procurement Act 2023: Are you ready?
Opinion
English Nationalism not a protected belief under the Equality Act
Legal Update - Procurement Act
Procurement Act 2023 implementation date delayed: Here’s what you need to do now
