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The Procurement Act 2023 brings a big shift for procurement teams across the UK public sector. It’s more than just ticking boxes for compliance. It’s a chance to turn procurement into a powerful tool for real change by helping communities grow stronger, creating social value, and encouraging new ideas at the local level.
To truly unlock this potential, however, success depends on how people turn these changes into real action. After all, it’s not just the law that matters, it’s how we choose to use it.
Procurement in the public sector has never been just about getting the lowest price. Rather, it’s also about leadership and setting high standards and showing that every public pound can go further.
With the Procurement Act 2023, new choices are now on the table. However, these benefits will only matter if organisations truly commit to what the Act is meant to achieve.
To that end, they need to take the time to understand how it works. In addition, they must follow through on its goals in day-to-day work. When that happens, procurement becomes a real force for good! And not just compliance for compliance sake.Â
Why the Procurement Act 2023 for public sector organisation matters nowÂ
Procurement does more than just deliver services – it helps create better outcomes. It’s a powerful tool that can tackle some of the UK’s biggest challenges. This includes fixing old infrastructure, speeding up progress toward net zero, and reducing inequality.
The Procurement Act 2023 gives public sector leaders the tools to make this happen. It’s not only about following the rules. It’s about getting smarter, fairer, and more meaningful results that truly help communities.
Digital and AI tools are quickly changing how procurement works. These tools help teams see risks in the supply chain, review bids better, and keep contracts on track.
By using data early and often, teams can spot problems sooner and fix them before they grow – helping projects stay on the right path.
However, it’s not just about having better technology. Equally important are the right skills, the ability to read and understand data, and a team culture that supports new ideas. Without these, even the best tools may not deliver their full value.
Today, social value, equality, and strong safety standards are no longer just ‘nice-to-haves’. Under the Procurement Act 2023, these values are now core parts of the procurement process – from writing contracts at the start to checking progress as the work moves forward.
By building in these standards early, organisations can lower risks, avoid costly changes later on, and make sure the results meet both what stakeholders expect and what the public truly needs.
Social value – making procurement a tool for goodÂ
Ultimately, the true impact of procurement lies in how it supports thriving, sustainable communities. The Procurement Act 2023 places social value centre stage, empowering public sector buyers to look beyond cost and focus on broader outcomes- such as local employment, skills development, equality, and environmental responsibility.
It’s not about ticking boxes or chasing recognition – it’s about getting results that make a real and lasting difference where they’re needed most.
Turning ambition into action takes more than just following the rules. It needs strong leadership, practical skills, and a real drive to make change happen across the organisation.
Start talking with suppliers before the formal process begins. These early conversations can help find better ways of working, spot risks sooner, and open the door to more value and new ideas – especially from smaller, specialist suppliers.
Start the conversation early – before the formal process begins. Reaching out ahead of time helps you find better ways to work, spot risks early, and bring in more value and new ideas. This matters most when working with small or specialist suppliers.
