Insights

Construction and development projects are about more than just bricks and mortar; they're powerful levers for community prosperity. There's increasing pressure to demonstrate projects delivering social value and boosting local economies during the construction phase, especially through robust support for local businesses and SMEs.

The Procurement Act 2023 finally came into force in February 2025, bringing critical mandates for public bodies. The requirement to prove 30-day payments to SMEs through the whole supply chain is a real challenge, and comes with financial penalties for non-compliance. Simply making payments on time isn't enough; consistently proving that compliance across complex supply chains can be an administrative nightmare.

Accountability is paramount in public sector construction projects. You need assurance that public funds are used correctly, payments are prompt, and all governance requirements are met, including compliance with new regulations like the Procurement Act 2023. But total transparency is commercially and practically impossible to achieve.