Last amended by Employment Rights Act 2025 in 2025. 10 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
The Procurement Act 2023 replaces the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and other procurement regulations, establishing a new unified procurement regime for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It simplifies procurement procedures, introduces greater flexibility, and enhances transparency through a central digital platform. The Act came fully into force in 2024.
Key Points
- Single set of rules replacing multiple regulations
- Procurement objectives: value for money, public benefit, equal treatment (s.12)
- Competitive flexible procedure as default (s.20)
- Central digital platform for notices and transparency
- Direct award justifications for limited circumstances
- Standstill period before contract award
- Enhanced remedies for suppliers including automatic suspension
- Replaces EU-derived procurement regulations
- Competitive flexible procedure as default
- Central digital platform for transparency
- Debarment regime for poor-performing suppliers
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2023 — The Procurement Act 2023 (Consequential and Other Amendments) Regulations 2025
64 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2025 — Employment Rights Act 2025
10 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2023 — The Procurement Act 2023 (Threshold Amounts) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2025
7 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2023 — The Procurement Act 2023 (Threshold Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
6 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2025 — The Procurement (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2025
5 recorded amendment effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
Frequently asked questions
- What does the Procurement Act 2023 replace?
- The Procurement Act 2023 replaces the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and other previous procurement regulations. It establishes a new, unified procurement regime for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The Act came fully into force in 2024 and aims to simplify procedures, introduce greater flexibility, and enhance transparency through a central digital platform.
- What is the default procurement procedure under the new Act?
- Under the Act, the competitive flexible procedure is the default method for procurement. This approach is designed to provide greater flexibility to contracting authorities while maintaining competitive processes. The Act also allows for direct awards in limited circumstances, though these are subject to specific justifications and rules.
- How does the Act improve transparency in public procurement?
- The Act introduces a central digital platform to handle procurement notices and ensure transparency. This platform serves as a single point of access for information, replacing previous systems. It supports the Act's objective of enhancing transparency and simplifying the procurement process for all parties involved.
- What remedies are available to suppliers under the Procurement Act 2023?
- The Act provides enhanced remedies for suppliers, including the possibility of automatic suspension of contract awards. It also includes a debarment regime specifically for poor-performing suppliers. These measures are intended to protect the integrity of the procurement process and ensure that suppliers meet their contractual obligations.
- Who is considered a contracting authority under the Act?
- The Act defines 'contracting authorities' as the public bodies that are subject to the procurement rules. These entities must adhere to the new unified regime, which includes objectives such as value for money, public benefit, and equal treatment. The specific thresholds and definitions are subject to amendments, including those made in 2025.