Regulated procurement | UK Regulatory Outlook March 2026

Procurement Act 2023: new guidance published on payment and performance reporting requirements 

The Government Commercial Function has published a new "Complete Guide to New Legislative Requirements under the Procurement Act 2023" to help both contracting authorities and suppliers to the public sector understand the latest requirements under the Procurement Act 2023.  

The guidance covers four areas: 

• publication of payments compliance notices (section 69), with the first reporting period running from 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026 and publication due by end of April 2026;
• publication of contract performance notices (section 71) for contracts valued above £5 million;
• linking of payment information to contracts (section 70), due to start in April 2026; and
• new registration requirements for suppliers on below-threshold contracts. 

The requirements in the above areas are complex so this is a welcome addition to the suite of guidance documents on the Procurement Act 2023. Both authorities and suppliers should review it to make sure they fully understand the obligations.  

Crown Commercial Service to become Government Commercial Agency from 1 April 2026: action required for suppliers 

From 1 April 2026, the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) will be replaced by the Government Commercial Agency (GCA), a new body intended to streamline how contracting authorities across the public sector procure common goods and services. 

From 1 April 2026, invoices to CCS must be addressed to the GCA and include the updated organisation name, the correct invoicing address and email, and all mandatory information required under any relevant contract or framework.  

Invoices that do not meet these requirements may be delayed or rejected.  

Internal systems must also be updated to reflect the new name. Contact email addresses will move to GCA domains from 1 April 2026, though existing CCS addresses will remain active and redirect for three months. 

Ongoing procurements will continue as normal, with communications and any framework awards made after 1 April 2026 being made by the GCA. 

Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Regulations 2026 made 

The Welsh government made the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Regulations 2026 on 4 March 2026, supplementing the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023, which sets out a framework to promote the well-being of people in Wales through social partnership working and socially responsible procurement. Most provisions come into force on 25 March 2026, with the exception of the requirements relating to annual socially responsible procurement reports, which come into force on 1 April 2026. 

The regulations define key terms and set out the information required in annual socially responsible procurement reports. This must include data on the estimated value of contracts awarded to contractors meeting certain conditions, such as providing opportunities for staff to use or develop Welsh language skills and recognising a trade union. 

Welsh contracting authorities should review the regulations against their procurements and reporting systems ahead of the 1 April 2026 commencement of the annual reporting requirements. Suppliers bidding for above-threshold Welsh public contracts should also be aware that fair work and well-being considerations will carry greater weight in procurement decisions. 

Launch of the Procurement Compliance Service 

The Procurement Compliance Service (PCS) opened for referrals on 23 February 2026. It works with contracting authorities across the public sector, including central government, the NHS, local authorities and universities, to improve capability, processes and compliance with the Procurement Act 2023. 

Unlike the existing Public Procurement Review Service, which investigates individual supplier concerns about specific procurements, the PCS takes a broader view, examining systemic patterns or institutional issues. Anyone can make a referral, and following an investigation the PCS may issue recommendations to the relevant contracting authority. 

Suppliers to the public sector who encounter recurring non-compliance by contracting authorities should consider making a referral to the PCS, which may help to drive improvements in procurement practices across the sector.