One year after the coming into force of the Procurement Act 2023 (“the Act”), contracts, procurements, frameworks and Dynamic Purchasing Systems established before 24 February 2024 continue under the old regime, but in the time that has passed a significant number of contracts have now been procured under the new Act.  

The public procurement sector still awaits judicial consideration of many of the Act’s provisions, however, particularly on the operation of the debarment scheme and exclusions, and on transparency requirements surrounding Key Performance Indicators and failures in performance. At time of writing, the debarment list, intended to provide a central repository of excluded suppliers,  remains empty. 

If you are a contracting authority or supplier and you have queries about the new public procurement regime, contact Harry King (harry.king@hf.law) and we’d be happy to assist. 

While contracting authorities and suppliers continue to adjust to the Act, new procurement financial thresholds came into force on 01 January 2026 as follows:  

Central Government bodies 

  • Supplies: £135,018 (changed from £139,688) 
  • Services: £135,018 (changed from £139,688) 
  • Works: £5,193,000 (changed from £5,372,609) 

All other contracting authorities 

  • Supplies: £207,720 (changed from £214,904) 
  • Services: £207,720 (changed from £214,904) 
  • Works: £5,193,000 (changed from £5,372,609) 
  • Light touch: £663,540 (no change) 

Utilities contracts 

  • Supplies: £415,440 (changed from £429,809 
  • Services: £415,440 (changed from £429,809) 
  • Works: £5,193,000 (changed from £5,372,609 
  • Light touch: £884,720 (no change) 

Concessions 

  • All concession contracts: £5,193,000 (changed from £5,372,609) 

The general reductions in thresholds, combined with inflation, will bring more procurements under the scope of the Act.   

To view our procurement services, visit our dedicated page here.