The Cabinet Office has published the first guidance document in relation to the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023) Manage phase and seven documents in relation to the Procure phase. These documents should be read in conjunction with PA 2023 and its associated regulations. Each guidance document will typically include the legal framework, what has changed, key points and policy intent, linked notices or guidance and where to find further information.

The Cabinet Office has published three new guidance documents in relation to the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023) Define phase. These documents should be read in conjunction with PA 2023 and its associated regulations. Each guidance document will typically include the legal framework, what has changed, key points and policy intent, linked notices or guidance and where to find further information.

The Cabinet Office has published guidance on the National Security Unit for Procurement (NSUP), established under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023), which is responsible for the relevant national security provisions under PA 2023. The guidance details NSUP's role in supporting ministerial decisions on supplier debarment, contract termination and procurement exclusion on national security grounds. Debarments on national security grounds will either be discretionary or mandatory (context-dependent). Unlike other grounds under PA 2023, in most cases, a national security exclusion or termination requires ministerial approval, following referral to NSUP. Anyone may submit referrals for a potential national security debarment investigation where there is credible evidence or serious concern regarding a supplier’s threat to UK national security. The NSUP guidance outlines the referral system and provides details of the relevant forms, templates and contact information.

The Cabinet Office has updated stakeholders on progress six weeks after the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023) go-live. The update reports ‘strong and active engagement’ with the enhanced Find a Tender Service (FTS), with 14,437 suppliers, 2,140 contracting authorities, and 25,546 users registered, and 2,568 notices published, including over 700 pre-market engagement notices. The update highlights new guidance on the UK1 pipeline notices which are live as of 1 April 2025. In-scope authorities (ie large contracting authorities forecasting spend above £100 million in relevant contracts in the upcoming financial year) have until 26 May 2025 to publish their pipeline notices on the FTS, after which they must be updated annually. The notices should include details of procurements planned in the next 18 months with an estimated value above £2 million. The update also includes information on events and training opportunities.

The Cabinet Office has issued two further guidance documents to provide technical guidance and help with interpretation of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023), Procure and Manage phases. These documents should be read in conjunction with PA 2023 and its associated regulations. Each guidance document typically includes the legal framework, what has changed, key points and policy intent, linked notices or guidance and where to find further information.

The Cabinet Office has issued an oral statement, delivered by the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds, providing an update on the government's response to the Infected Blood Inquiry. Thomas-Symonds has emphasised the government’s commitment to working on a cross-party basis to deliver the compensation scheme and get final payments to victims as soon as possible and has acknowledged the need for financial redress for those affected. Thomas-Symonds has also said that that there will be an opportunity for the House of Commons to debate the content of the Inquiry’s final report.

Cabinet Office has launched a consultation on proposed amendments to Regulation 23 of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Contingency Planning) Regulations 2005, SI 2005/2042. The proposed changes aim to strengthen the existing duty on general Category 1 responders to establish and maintain partnerships with voluntary, community and faith (VCF) organisations. The consultation, which follows a recommendation from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, seeks views on whether a statutory amendment is an appropriate and proportionate mechanism to enhance collaboration between emergency responders and VCF organisations. It also invites feedback on the practical implications of such a change, including potential challenges, opportunities and alternative approaches. The consultation is open to Category 1 and 2 responders, as well as a broad range of civil society organisations. Responses are sought by 16 September 2025.

The Cabinet Office has launched a consultation on further reforms to the public procurement regime, building on the reforms introduced by the Procurement Act 2023. The consultation, is intended to inform the development of future primary legislation to increase opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) while maintaining compliance with international trade commitments. The proposals form part of the government's broader industrial strategy to support British businesses. The consultation closes on 5 September 2025.

The Cabinet Office has opened a call for evidence to inform the initial phase of the Seventh UK National Action Plan for Open Government (NAP7), It seeks to evaluate the potential for government, civil society and other stakeholders to collaboratively create proposals that enhance transparency, accountability and participation in government. The exercise forms part of the UK’s commitments under the Open Government Partnership and will support the co-creation of future open government commitments through collaboration between government and civil society. Submissions must be no more than 250 words and focus on a single theme and will be used to identify potential areas of focus for the next action plan. The call for evidence will close on 11 May 2026.

The Cabinet Office has announced that it has paused debarment investigations into seven organisations criticised by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Metropolitan Police. The investigations, initiated under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023) in February 2025, were suspended to prevent potential interference with ongoing criminal investigations. The debarment process would have determined the organisations' eligibility for future public contracts.

The Cabinet Office has issued further guidance documents to provide technical guidance and help with interpretation of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023), Procure and Manage phases. These documents should be read in conjunction with PA 2023 and its associated regulations. Each guidance document will typically include the legal framework, what has changed, key points and policy intent, linked notices or guidance and where to find further information.

The Cabinet Office has published the 'Rewiring the State' statement , setting out a framework for transferring powers, resources and functions from central government to elected mayors and local authorities across England. Key fiscal measures include replacing central government grants with a share of local income tax for mayors from April 2028 and greater business rates retention from April 2027. Strategic authorities will gain powers to introduce an overnight visitor levy, with plans to be confirmed by March 2028. Chief executives of mayoral strategic authorities will become Local Accounting Officers, with a strengthened role for the Local Audit Office. The statement also commits to establishing Good Growth Funds backed by Public Financial Institutions and the Local Government Pension Scheme. A white paper and fiscal devolution roadmap will be published alongside the autumn 2026 Budget.