Delay of Procurement Act – new launch date announced

Last week, the UK Government announced that the start date for the Procurement Act 2023, originally scheduled for 28 October 2024, has been postponed to 24 February 2025.

Georgia Gould, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, stated in Parliament that the former government's National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) is inadequate. She emphasised the necessity of revising it to ensure that the updated NPPS reflects the current government's priorities more accurately, resulting in this Procurement Act delay.

“It is crucial that the new regime in the Procurement Act goes live with a bold and ambitious Statement that drives delivery of the Government’s missions, and therefore, I am proposing a short delay to the commencement of the Act to February 2025 so this work can be completed.

I am confident that the extra time to prepare will allow for a more seamless transition, ensuring a smoother and more effective implementation process for both contracting authorities and suppliers.”

The Procurement Act delay comes amid growing concerns that the new central digital platform, which contracting authorities need for procurement, wouldn't be ready by the 28 October start date, along with rumours of a recent extension of the platform's development contract.

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