Blue Light services warn of Procurement Act shortfalls

• Half of Blue Light workers say there is not enough training or support for the new Act
• 1 in 3 emergency service employees fear resource shortages will block partnerships
• Only 20% feel prepared for the Act’s transparency demands

28 July 2025 – Half (50%) of senior procurement Blue Light employees said there are gaps in the training and resources to support implementation of the new Act which came into force in February this year.

A new survey commissioned by Commercial Services Group, a provider of public sector procurement services, reveals a mix of cautious optimism and concern. While the sector broadly welcomes the Act to help achieve the objectives of the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS), many warn that without frontline support, leadership engagement and investment in capability, its potential to achieve its aims could go unrealised.

While almost half (45.5%) of Blue Light respondents recognised financial limitations as a barrier, the survey also revealed that resource constraints leave successful delivery of the act at risk. Over a third (34.1%) of respondents said limited resource capacity could hinder collaboration between organisations, while 36.4% flagged regulatory compliance as a potential setback. With one of the central aims of the Act to drive economic development, this could limit organisation’s ability to deliver on this.

Perhaps more notably, 1 in 7 (15.6%) view the act as primarily a compliance exercise, with little impact expected to the transformation of procurement practices and fewer than one in twenty (4.5%) felt it would bring workforce wellbeing improvement.

Tarryn Kerr, MD of Procurement Services, 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.”

“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.”

More broadly across the public sector, the mood is cautiously optimistic. In fact, a significant majority (84%) of survey respondents said they are confident in their ability to deliver on the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) priorities, and over three-quarters (76%) view the Act as a genuine opportunity for change rather than simply a compliance exercise. But readiness levels still vary. While local government appears relatively well prepared, confidence drops significantly in the healthcare sector, suggesting an uneven landscape across public services.

Tarryn added: “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 is a public sector-owned organisation that reinvests every penny back into the communities it serves. Supporting over 22,000 organisations and thousands of schools across the UK, its services span procurement, HR, energy management, recruitment, special educational needs and disability (SEND) support, legal services, school supplies, and school improvement.

To find out more, visit www.commercialservices.org.uk.

Issued by Weber Shandwick on behalf of Commercial Services Group.

FIRE Magazine

See Full Bio