Breaking: These rules came into force on 1 April 2026 — this week. If you supply to UK public sector buyers, action may be required now.
Quick summary: Five changes took effect on 1 April 2026 — quarterly payment reporting, the Central Digital Platform becoming the primary publication route, below-threshold supplier registration, formal social value KPIs for large contracts, and the Government Commercial Agency announcement. Most suppliers need to update their monitoring setup and register on Find a Tender if they have not already.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 24 February 2025 | Procurement Act 2023 came into force. Central Digital Platform launched. |
| 1 January 2026 | Section 69 (payment compliance notices) and Section 71 (contract performance notices) in force. |
| 1 April 2026 | Section 70 (quarterly payment reporting), below-threshold registration, CDP as primary publication route. |
| 29 July 2026 | First quarterly payment reports due from contracting authorities. |
The five changes that took effect on 1 April 2026
Quarterly Contract Payment Reporting (Section 70)
From 1 April 2026, contracting authorities must publish details of every payment over £30,000 made under a public contract, on a quarterly basis. The first reports are due by 29 July 2026.
What this means for suppliers
- →Payment performance of public bodies is now publicly visible — late payers will be on the record
- →You can use this data to assess a buyer's payment track record before committing to a bid
- →PSIP will surface payment data as it becomes available so you can factor it into bidding decisions
Central Digital Platform Becomes the Primary Publication Route
As of April 2026, the Central Digital Platform (CDP) — delivered through the enhanced Find a Tender service — replaces Contracts Finder as the mandatory publication channel for new procurement notices under the Procurement Act 2023.
Action required: If you rely solely on Contracts Finder email alerts, you need to update your monitoring. PSIP aggregates both Find a Tender and Contracts Finder, so PSIP users are automatically covered.
Below-Threshold Supplier Registration
Suppliers awarded below-threshold contracts must now register on the CDP and obtain a unique supplier identifier. For the first time, smaller contracts (below £138,760 for goods and services) will be linked to a registered supplier profile.
For SMEs and VCSEs, this creates both a new administrative step and a genuine opportunity — your track record on smaller contracts will now be visible to buyers considering you for larger work.
Social Value KPIs as Formal Contract Terms
For contracts over £5 million, contracting authorities must now include measurable social value KPIs as formal contract terms, with annual publication of supplier performance against those commitments.
If you hold or are bidding for high-value contracts, you need to understand what social value metrics you are committing to and how you will evidence delivery. Underperformance will be on the public record.
Government Commercial Agency Announcement
The government has announced plans to consolidate Crown Commercial Service and Cabinet Office commercial capability into a single Government Commercial Agency overseeing more than £400 billion in public sector spend. This signals a continued drive toward centralised procurement — making frameworks and standing arrangements even more important as routes to market.
What you need to do right now
Register on the Central Digital Platform
Go to Find a Tender and complete your supplier profile. You need your Companies House number, SIC codes, key contact details, and relevant certifications. Registration is free.
Update your tender monitoring
If you only watch Contracts Finder, you are now missing new notices published under the Procurement Act. PSIP covers both portals automatically.
Review your contract expiry pipeline
With payment transparency data now public, use PSIP's Contract Expiry Tracker to identify which contracts are coming up for renewal and which buyers pay on time.
Brief your delivery team on social value KPIs
If you hold contracts over £5 million, make sure delivery staff know what social value commitments were made in the bid. These are now formal, reportable contract terms.
Frequently asked questions
What changed on 1 April 2026 under the Procurement Act 2023?
Five key changes came into force on 1 April 2026: quarterly contract payment reporting for payments over £30,000 (Section 70), the Central Digital Platform replacing Contracts Finder as the primary publication route for new notices, below-threshold supplier registration on the CDP, formal social value KPIs as contract terms for contracts over £5 million, and the announcement of a new Government Commercial Agency.
Does the Procurement Act 2023 apply to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?
The Act applies to contracting authorities in England, and to reserved matters across the UK. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own procurement frameworks for devolved matters, though in practice there is significant alignment.
Is Contracts Finder being shut down?
Not immediately. Contracts Finder remains available and continues to carry historical notices. However, from April 2026, new notices under the Procurement Act must be published via Find a Tender (the Central Digital Platform). Over time, the two may be consolidated.
Does supplier registration on the Central Digital Platform cost anything?
No. Registration on Find a Tender is free for suppliers.
When are the first quarterly payment reports due?
Contracting authorities must publish their first quarterly payment reports (for payments over £30,000) by 29 July 2026.
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