The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today, 8 September 2026, published two reports on public procurement, a topic it states is becoming central to UK economic policy. Sarah Cardell, the CMA's Chief Executive, delivered opening remarks at a parliamentary event, noting that the UK government spends around £400 billion each year on goods, services, and infrastructure from the private sector.
The CMA's work, which started two years ago, concluded that public procurement is a powerful strategic capability that the UK is not deploying as effectively as possible. The reports make recommendations to the government aimed at supporting the UK's economic success and sovereignty, as well as delivering better value for taxpayers.
Key issues identified include a lack of clarity regarding objectives and the willingness to make trade-offs, fragmentation weakening purchasing power, and incentives that prioritise process over outcomes. Public procurement is expected to deliver a wide range of objectives, such as value for money, innovation, growth, resilience, national security, domestic jobs, skills, and social value, which may require clear prioritisation.