Is the Procurement Act helping UK emergency services or holding them back?

Emergency services report training gaps in Procurement Act rollout

Half of senior procurement professionals in the UK’s emergency services have said they lack sufficient training and resources to support the implementation of the Procurement Act.

The findings are based on a survey commissioned by Commercial Services Group, a public sector procurement provider, following the Act’s introduction in February 2025.

The group said the survey reflects a mix of support and concern across Blue Light services, as respondents welcome the Act’s aims but warn that without leadership, guidance and investment, its potential will not be realised.

According to Commercial Services Group, 50% of Blue Light participants identified capability gaps as a barrier to delivery.

It said financial constraints were also seen as an obstacle by 45.5% of respondents.

Limited capacity and regulation flagged as barriers

Commercial Services Group reported that over a third (34.1%) of emergency sector procurement leaders warned that low resource capacity may limit inter-agency collaboration.

The survey also found that 36.4% of respondents believe regulatory compliance challenges could undermine implementation efforts.

The group said these challenges may restrict the ability of emergency services to meet one of the Act’s main aims, which is to support economic development.

It added that just 15.6% of participants believe the Act will significantly improve procurement practices, with only 4.5% expecting improvements in workforce wellbeing.

Sector leaders call for stronger support measures

Tarryn Kerr, Managing Director of Procurement Services at Commercial Services Group, said: “Our Blue Light services are under substantial pressure.

“Demand is unprecedented and these vital teams are overwhelmed as they navigate this alongside regulatory changes and limited resources.

“The Procurement Act can aid positive change in our emergency services but must provide organisations the necessary support to do so.”

She added: “This should not be treated as a tick-box exercise. It’s crucial that we deliver stronger guidance and visible leadership from the top to unlock long-term value for public services and vastly improve outcomes for those on the frontline.”

Public sector confidence varies across services

Beyond the emergency services, Commercial Services Group said the wider public sector shows cautious optimism.

It reported that 84% of total respondents are confident in delivering on National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) priorities.

Three-quarters (76%) of participants see the Procurement Act as a route to change, rather than simply a regulatory requirement.

However, confidence levels differ by sector.

The survey found that local authorities report high levels of preparedness, but the healthcare sector shows lower levels of confidence, indicating variation across public service readiness.

Tools and frameworks identified as enablers

Tarryn Kerr said: “To turn ambition into action, organisations need practical tools like easy-to-use frameworks, such as those provided by Procurement Services, that enable compliant procurement and unlock the full benefits the Act has been introduced to deliver.

“Organisations using frameworks can save time and money by removing the need to run a full competitive tender process.”

Commercial Services Group said its frameworks are already used by more than 22,000 organisations and thousands of schools across the UK.

It added that the organisation is publicly owned and reinvests its revenue into the communities it supports.

The company said its procurement service is part of a broader offering that includes HR, SEND support, legal advice, recruitment and energy management.

UK Blue Light services report challenges in Procurement Act implementation: Summary

Half of senior procurement staff in emergency services said there are gaps in training and support for the Procurement Act.

The survey was commissioned by Commercial Services Group and reported by Blue Light.

Financial and resource constraints were highlighted as risks to implementation.

34.1% of respondents said capacity issues may limit collaboration.

36.4% said regulatory compliance could affect delivery of the Act.

15.6% viewed the Act as mainly a compliance task.

4.5% said it would improve workforce wellbeing.

Across the public sector, 84% said they are confident in delivering NPPS priorities.

76% saw the Act as a real opportunity for change.

Confidence was higher in local government than in healthcare.

Tarryn Kerr called for leadership and tools to improve implementation.

Commercial Services Group said frameworks help streamline procurement and reduce tendering costs.