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Procurement Act 2023: Payment transparency rules explained

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Key takeaways: Procurement Act 2023 payment transparency rules

£30,000 payment threshold: Contracting authorities must publish details of individual payments exceeding £30,000, including VAT, under qualifying public contracts.
Effective date: The new reporting requirements apply to qualifying procurements commenced on or after 1 April 2026.
Quarterly reporting: Payment information is published through the Central Digital Platform (Find a Tender), with the first reporting period covering April–June 2026.
Exemptions apply: Not all public contracts are covered. School contracts and contracts governed by previous procurement legislation may fall outside these requirements.
Public-sector procurement support: Avendra International supports contracting authorities with procurement expertise, tender management and contract information relevant to reporting obligations.
Responsibility remains with the authority: Contracting authorities retain statutory responsibility for publishing the required payment information.

What are the new Procurement Act 2023 payment transparency requirements?

Further transparency requirements under the Procurement Act 2023 have come into effect from April 2026, introducing new payment reporting obligations for contracting authorities.

Under Section 70 of the Act, contracting authorities are required to publish information on individual payments of more than £30,000 (including VAT) made under qualifying public contracts where the procurement procedure commenced on or after 1 April 2026.

The information is published quarterly through the Central Digital Platform/Find a Tender service and includes details such as the contracting authority, supplier, relevant contract, payment value and payment date.

Section 70: Payment reporting thresholds, deadlines and requirements

Here's a breakdown of the most important details you need to know:

Payment Threshold: Contracting authorities must publish information on individual payments of more than £30,000 (including VAT) made under qualifying public contracts.
Scope: The requirement applies where the procurement procedure commenced on or after 1 April 2026.
Publication Platform: Information is published quarterly through the Central Digital Platform/Find a Tender service.
Information Published: Details include the contracting authority, supplier, relevant contract, payment value and payment date.
Reporting Timeline: The first reporting period covered April–June 2026, with publication required by the end of July. Reporting will continue quarterly.

Which public contracts are exempt from payment transparency reporting?

There are important exemptions and transitional provisions, so the requirement does not automatically apply to every public-sector organisation or every existing contract.

For example, contracts awarded by schools are excluded, and contracts procured under the previous procurement regime are not brought into scope simply because payments continue after April 2026.

Understanding whether a contract falls within scope will therefore be an important first step for contracting authorities when preparing for reporting.

How Avendra International supports public procurement compliance

For our public-sector clients, Avendra will continue to consider these evolving transparency requirements as part of our procurement and contract management processes.

Where relevant, we can help clients understand which procurements may fall within scope and support the identification of the contract and supplier information needed for their reporting.

The statutory responsibility for publication remains with the contracting authority.

Get expert support with public procurement and contract management

We're committed to keeping you informed and prepared for the latest changes in procurement legislation. For ongoing support and advice, contact us at Hello_UK@avendra.com.

For more details on the Procurement Act 2023, visit the Government Guidance on Transforming Public Procurement.

FAQs

What payments must be reported under Section 70 of the Procurement Act 2023?

Contracting authorities must publish information about individual payments exceeding £30,000, including VAT, under qualifying public contracts. The requirement applies to relevant procurements commenced on or after 1 April 2026. Payment information is published quarterly through the Central Digital Platform (Find a Tender), subject to applicable exemptions.

Do the new payment transparency rules apply to NHS Trusts and universities?

NHS Trusts and universities may be subject to Section 70 payment reporting requirements where their contracts fall within the scope of the Procurement Act 2023. This can include qualifying foodservice, catering and non-food supply contracts. Procurement and finance teams should review contract commencement dates, payment values and applicable exemptions to determine their reporting obligations.

How can Avendra International help public-sector organisations manage procurement compliance?

Avendra International supports public-sector organisations with procurement expertise, compliant frameworks, tender management and supplier contract management. Our specialists help NHS Trusts, universities and other organisations navigate procurement requirements, manage supplier agreements and maintain visibility over their contracts. Statutory reporting responsibilities remain with the contracting authority.

Can public-sector organisations use Avendra's pre-negotiated supplier contracts and bespoke procurement solutions?

Avendra International offers pre-negotiated supplier contracts and bespoke procurement solutions across food, beverage and non-food categories. These solutions can help healthcare, education and public-sector catering organisations improve purchasing efficiency, manage supplier relationships and identify cost-saving opportunities, subject to applicable public procurement regulations.