Morning, Monday, 16th November 2026
Online
This conference will examine the future for public procurement in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to assess implementation of the Procurement Act 2023 and the Government's wider programme of procurement reform, including the response to the consultation on Public Procurement: Growing British Industry, Jobs and Skills.
Delegates will consider priorities for embedding the new legislative requirements in practice, alongside objectives for supporting economic growth, strengthening domestic supply chains and increasing opportunities for UK businesses through public procurement, as well as the future direction of policy on social value and domestic sourcing.
The planned agenda will examine recent policy developments relating to procurement priorities across government, including new measures to prioritise British capability in areas such as shipbuilding, steel, AI and energy infrastructure, and revised targets for direct government spending with SMEs. Attendees will consider implications for competition, value for money and resilience, alongside practical approaches to widening participation in public procurement and reducing barriers for smaller suppliers.
Further discussion is expected on the operation of procurement markets and delivery across contracting authorities, including implications of the Competition and Markets Authority's Road and Rail Market Study and its reform recommendations. Sessions will consider opportunities to improve commercial capability, procurement processes and market engagement, alongside priorities for strengthening consistency, transparency and efficiency across public sector procurement.
The conference will also assess wider issues affecting procurement policy and supplier relationships, including proposals in the Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill, the role of prompt payment in supporting SMEs, and emerging priorities for engagement with civil society following the establishment of the Civil Society Council. Discussion is expected on how procurement policy can support wider economic, social and public service objectives while maintaining proportionate regulation, effective competition and confidence in public spending.
Overall areas for discussion include:
- policy & implementation:
- implementation of the Procurement Act 2023 and new legislative requirements - embedding reform across contracting authorities and procurement practice
- government consultation response to Public Procurement: Growing British Industry, Jobs and Skills - balancing value for money with objectives for economic growth, resilience and UK supply chains
- strategic procurement & industrial policy:
- priorities for public procurement in support of British shipbuilding, steel, AI and energy infrastructure
- aligning procurement with national security and industrial strategy objectives
- impact on innovation, productivity and economic growth - implications of the forthcoming National Audit Office report
- SMEs & supplier markets:
- new Government targets for direct spending with SMEs - widening market access, reducing barriers to participation and supporting regional growth
- the Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill - strengthening prompt payment, improving cash flow and supporting resilience across public sector supply chains
- commercial capability & market reform:
- CMA recommendations on road and rail procurement
- improving competition, reducing costs and strengthening commercial capability in major infrastructure procurement
- procurement capability, market engagement and commercial leadership - consistency, transparency and confidence across contracting authorities
- delivery & system capability:
- implementation of new procurement legislation - workforce capability, digital procurement tools and public sector outcomes
- data, transparency and performance monitoring - supporting contract management and supplier performance
- partnerships & social value:
- engagement with civil society following the establishment of the Civil Society Council - collaboration between government, suppliers and the voluntary sector
- balancing social value, economic growth and competition - supply chain resilience, innovation and long-term public value
