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ARTICLE · 22 JULY 2025

How The Procurement Act 2023 Impacts Defence And Security Contracts

Gowling WLG
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The Procurement Act 2023 (the "Act") that came into force in February this year marked a shift in the UK's approach to public procurement, including the regulation of defence and security contracts.

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector
Elizabeth Williams
Elizabeth Williams
Christopher Brennan
Christopher Brennan
Alison Richards
Alison Richards
Helena Eyles
Helena Eyles
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The Procurement Act 2023 (the "Act") that came into force in February this year marked a shift in the UK's approach to public procurement, including the regulation of defence and security contracts. Replacing the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 (DSPCR), the Act introduces a consolidated legal framework that applies to defence and security (D&S) contracts alongside other public procurement processes, which aims to both streamline procurement legislation and simplify the rules for contracting authorities.

This article explores key changes under the Act, focusing on:

  1. the differences from the DSPCR;
  2. the new concept of Defence Authority Contracts; and
  3. national security provisions, including exclusion and debarment on national security grounds.

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