An earlier General Election may now limit the ability of central government departments to start procurements identified strategically to go out before the PA23/24 implementation date to fall within the current regime. 

Stay informed about the transitional arrangements made for the Procurement Act. Where a contract is in procurement prior to the implementation date, our customers will need to apply the old regime until that contract has terminated.

For example, where a 10-year contract is signed just prior to implementation, it should be reasonably expected that extensions or variations to it will still fall under Regulation 72 PCR 2015 in 2034.

The launch itself might be of differing priority to a new Government keener to make a start on promises made during summer campaigns.

Continue learning about PA23 and its regulations in detail by keeping up to date with any APMP announcements, attending central governments Deep Dive sessions and checking communities like LinkedIn for current insights on how it’s impacting wider businesses.

Paying specific attention to how any delay might impact your market sectors will be particularly important given nature of type of sector activity prioritised in the build up to the General Election.

Over time and more likely with new leadership, even any small changes or challenges to the signed legislation might cause further delays to the launch of PA23.

Naturally alterations aren’t necessarily dependent on which party wins the General Election, although any changes are more likely under a new government or newly formed coalitions.

Keep an eye to party manifestos as they’re released. These will provide an indication of their top priorities and any sectors, markets or specific procurements that might be impacted or created by that party’s policy commitments.