Published: July 21st, 2025
Businesses across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin are being urged to play their part in ensuring that public procurement brings maximum value to the whole of the country.
Every year the country spends £385 billion on goods, works and services and the government says it wants communities in every part of the country to feel the benefit.
It has now launched a public consultation on planned changes to public procurement and is urging businesses across the region to have their say.
Among the reforms are plans to:
- Use the £385 billion annual spend to strengthen supply chains and boost domestic competitiveness.
- Introduce mandatory 3-year spend targets for large contracting authorities (spending £100m+) with small businesses and voluntary, community and social enterprises.
- Ensure suppliers bidding for contracts over £5m can demonstrate average invoice payment within 45 days.
- Introducing mandatory social value criteria in major procurements with public reporting on delivery.
- Introduce local delivery flexibility so that authorities can specify where social value should be delivered (e.g. local area, supplier base).
Georgia Gould MP, parliamentary secretary for the Cabinet Office, said: “Through these reforms, public procurement will truly be in the service of the people – empowering British businesses, supporting social enterprise, safeguarding our national interests, and tackling today’s challenges while building a prosperous and fair future for all.
“I invite you to contribute your expertise and insight to this consultation as we shape the future of public procurement, and ensure it plays a vital role in delivering long-term prosperity for our nation.”
To read the consultation document and have your say visit https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/public-procurement-growing-british-industry-jobs-and-skills-consultation-on-further-reforms-to-public-procurement
