The Procurement Act 2023 came into force in February 2025, replacing the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Here are the updated thresholds for 2026.
What are procurement thresholds?
Procurement thresholds are the contract values above which public sector buyers must follow formal advertising and competition requirements. Below threshold, contracting authorities have more flexibility — but good practice still requires competitive quotes.
Current UK procurement thresholds (2026)
Central government contracts for goods and services: £138,760. Works: £5,372,609.
Sub-central government (local authorities, NHS, education) for goods and services: £213,477. Works: £5,372,609.
Light touch regime (social, health and education services): £663,540.
Utilities for goods and services: £426,955. Works: £5,372,609.
These thresholds are reviewed periodically and adjusted to reflect exchange rate changes.
What changes above threshold?
Above threshold, contracting authorities must publish a notice on Find a Tender Service, run a formal procurement procedure, allow sufficient time for responses (minimum 25 days for open procedures), and publish award notices.
What about below threshold?
Below threshold, buyers must publish contracts worth over £12,000 on Contracts Finder. For contracts between £12,000 and the threshold, buyers typically run a simplified competition with at least three quotes.
The Procurement Act changes
The 2023 Act introduced transparency notices so buyers must publish planned procurements in advance. All notices must now go on Find a Tender, creating a single place to monitor opportunities. Dynamic markets replace the old Dynamic Purchasing Systems. A central debarment register lists suppliers excluded from public procurement.
What this means for suppliers
More transparency and earlier notice of upcoming opportunities. Use WinAContract to monitor for planning notices and be ready to respond when the formal tender is published.