Linking payments to contracts is an essential part of public procurement transparency providing real benefits to both buyers and suppliers.
The intent is to commence section 70 of the Procurement Act from 1 April 2026. Section 70 requires Contracting Authorities (unless exempt) to publish information about any payment of more than £30,000 (inc. VAT) made against public contracts for procurements that are commenced from 1/4/2026. This means you will only need to publish payments against public contracts for procurements that were commenced under the PA23 after this commencement date (payments against contracts commenced prior to this date, even if they have not yet been awarded, do not need to be published).
Unlike other transparency requirements, you will be able to upload a simple template for all relevant payments made in each quarter, rather than a single notice per payment. The first payment submission will be due at the end of July 2026 (i.e. 30 calendar days from the end of the first quarter) – so there is time to prepare. You can start getting ready now….
In2 the bargain 