Smarter public procurement in Wales

Over £8 billion is spent on public procurement in Wales each year. That’s almost one third of all public sector spending. Procurement in the public sector is one of the most important tools we have to help bring about a more equal, sustainable, and prosperous Wales. Through procurement, public sector organisations can help support the Welsh economy, promote safe and fair work. It can also help protect the environment, and bring cultural and social benefits to communities.

New legislation is underway to change how procurement is undertaken in the public sector in Wales.

The legislation aims to make procurement smarter by making it:

• More focused on the well-being goals in the Wellbeing for Future Generations Act
• Better value for money and more transparent
• Better for suppliers with less bureaucracy and better contract management

The new legislation will require people running procurement exercises and suppliers to the public sector to make some important changes to their ways of working and the systems they use.

It is important for anyone involved in public sector procurement in Wales to understand the changes and what they may need to do to prepare.

Procurement Act 2023

The Act will reform the UK procurement system so that every pound goes further for public services and communities. It will make procurement quicker, simpler, more flexible and more transparent. Due to come into force in February 2025.

Find out more about the Procurement Act.

Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023

The Act puts socially responsible procurement on a statutory footing. It will ensure public procurement contributes to the well-being of Wales in a consistent and accountable way. The date for this legislation coming into force is to be confirmed.

Find out more about the Social Partnership and Public Procurement Act.

Health Services (Provider Selection Regime) (Wales) Regulations

The draft Health Services (Provider Selection Regime) (Wales) Regulations will introduce a new Provider Selection Regime in Wales. The changes will reduce bureaucracy by introducing a flexible and proportionate procurement system for health services delivered on behalf of the NHS in Wales. Subject to the agreement of the Senedd, the Regime is due to come into force in February 2025.

Find out more about the Provider Selection Regime Wales.

Are you a procurement or commercial professional, or a senior leader in a public sector organisation? Are you involved in contract management, or are you a supplier to the public sector in Wales? Guidance and training on the requirements of the new legislation has been developed for you.

Procurement professionals and contract managers

Training and learning resources are available for procurement professionals in public sector organisations and contract managers in procuring organisations:

• The full suite of UK government’s official Learning and Development on the Procurement Act is available here. 
• Supplementary training modules on the changes to procurement legislation in Wales (for Welsh contracting authorities) is available (under the ‘Welsh Government’ drop-down options). 
• Procurement Act 2023 guidance documents are available here.

Senior leaders in procuring organisations

Learning resources for senior leaders in public sector organisations in Wales:

• KD1: Knowledge Drop for Contracting Authorities part 1
• KD1: Knowledge Drop for Contracting Authorities part 2
• KD1: Knowledge Drop for Contracting Authorities part 3
• KD1: Knowledge Drop for Contracting Authorities part 4
• KD1: Knowledge Drop for Contracting Authorities part 5
• KD1: Knowledge Drop for Contracting Authorities part 6

Suppliers and prospective suppliers to the public sector

Learning resources for suppliers to the public sector in Wales:

• The Procurement Act 2023 and Associated Regulations: A short guide for suppliers
• UKG Knowledge Drops for Suppliers part 1 (short video)
• UKG Knowledge Drop for Suppliers part 2 (short video)
• UKG Knowledge Drop for Suppliers part 3 (short video)
• UKG Knowledge Drop for SME/VCSEs part 1 (short video)
• UKG Knowledge Drop for SME/VCSEs part 2 (short video)
• UKG Knowledge Drop for SME/VCSEs part 3 (short video)

More information on the Well-being of Future Generations Act.