Welsh Government publishes Procurement Act 2023 guidance framework
The Welsh Government has published Procurement Act 2023 guidance, including a letter from Minister Jack Sargeant to public bodies. Dated 31 March 2025 and addressed to the chief executive, it directs public bodies to comply with the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act (SPPP Act) by consulting recognised trade unions or staff representatives when setting well-being objectives and making strategic decisions. Public bodies must also produce an annual compliance report outlining their compliance over the previous 12 months. Additionally, two guidances have been issued. The first outlines how contracting authorities should assess and exclude suppliers—including their associated or sub-contracted entities—if they pose risks related to delivery, integrity, public confidence, or national security. The second establishes a centralised debarment regime, under which a Minister of the Crown may list suppliers considered to pose an ongoing risk following detailed investigations and a clear appeals process. Contracting authorities are required to refer to this debarment list during procurement to prevent high-risk suppliers from participating.