Hey there👋

What’s happening in the public sector today? From Wales' big policing boost to the £80B Building Futures Framework, we’ve got key insights, trends, and opportunities to transform your strategy.

Let’s break it down—quick, clear, and actionable.

Today’s Focus:

• More Neighbourhood Policing for Wales!

• Big Changes to Get Britain Working!

• TRA Proposes Anti-Dumping Duty on Chinese Excavators

• Building Futures Framework: Transforming Public Sector Projects 2026-2034

🎧 No time to read? I get it—life’s busy. That’s why I’ve added an audio version of the newsletter just for you. Click play, and let me keep you updated while you tackle your day!

DAILY SPEND WATCH

🔍 Key Insights:

• Geography: Contracts heavily concentrated in London, South East, Yorkshire, and North West. Fewer awards in Wales and Northern Ireland.

• Size: Large contracts (£1M+) dominate IT/infrastructure. The majority are £50k-£500k. Small contracts (<£50k) are 25% of awards but only 3% of value.

• Sectors: NHS, local councils, and education lead activity.

• Duration: Most contracts last 2-3 years. IT can exceed 5 years; consultancy often 3-6 months.

• Trends: Growth in digital projects, sustainability, and healthcare investments. Framework agreements are increasing.

OPPORTUNITY PICKS

Building Futures Framework: Transforming Public Sector Projects 2026-2034

Opportunity Overview

• Scope: A broad framework covering the UK and overseas public sector needs across health, education, defense, and infrastructure. 🌍

• Duration: Spanning 8+ years with flexibility for evolving government priorities.

• Budget: Significant—£80B total

• Access: Open to SMEs and VCSEs

💡 One Strategy That Could Set You Apart

Early engagement is your key to success. Participating in market discussions now allows you to influence the framework's design and establish relationships with key stakeholders. Focus on showcasing innovative solutions, especially in offsite construction and healthcare, to stand out from the competition.

Building partnerships and aligning your capabilities with the framework’s multi-sector scope will ensure you’re ready to lead when bidding opens in 2026.

INSIGHT OF THE WEEK

🔒 Cyber security alert!

Key findings from NDA's 2024 report:

• Increased cyber threat levels

• New group-wide security operations

• £1.5M funding for innovative security solutions

• Growing demand for cyber expertise

Is your organization prepared for evolving cyber threats?

Source: Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Annual Report 2023/24

NEWS

🚓 More Neighbourhood Policing for Wales! 

Over £500M in funding for UK policing means Wales will get 13,000 new officers & PCSOs, restored community patrols, and an expanded role for Police and Crime Commissioners.

The Impact at a Glance

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens recently joined Cardiff police on patrol to see the challenges firsthand. Her takeaway? The public wants visible, well-resourced neighbourhood policing, and that’s exactly what’s on the agenda.

Bonus: New Training Pilot 🚦

North Wales Police is testing new training to boost skills nationwide.

Big Changes to Get Britain Working!

The Get Britain Working White Paper introduces the biggest reforms in decades, backed by £240M investment to boost employment, cut inactivity, and transform Jobcentres into a national careers service.

Key Highlights

• Youth Guarantee: Access to training or apprenticeships for every young person 🎓

• Expanded mental health support 🧠

• New employer review to support hiring disabled workers.

The Bigger Picture

With 1.5M unemployed and 2.8M out of work due to illness, these changes tackle root causes, improve health support, and create local solutions for a stronger workforce.

🚜 TRA Proposes Anti-Dumping Duty on Chinese Excavators

A proposed duty of 33.03%–83.5% on Chinese excavators could boost UK producers by £3.4M/year while protecting the Advanced Manufacturing sector.

What’s Behind It?

Chinese imports have undercut UK producers by 23.39% due to low-cost production. The TRA’s findings aim to level the playing field for UK businesses like JCB.

Why This Matters

This measure supports UK jobs, reduces unfair competition, and strengthens local industry.

🗓️ Have Your Say: Submit comments to the TRA by 16 December!

TECHNOLOGY

👥 HumanLayer: Connecting AI agents with human feedback loop

💼 Nume: Your virtual financial wizard for startup success

🧪 Humanloop: Enterprise platform for testing and scaling LLMs

TIP OF THE DAY

🌍 Want to incorporate sustainability in procurement?

1. Green Criteria: Include environmental impact as part of your evaluation metrics—make sustainability a priority!

2. Supplier Sustainability Practices: Assess potential suppliers on their sustainability initiatives; it’s a win for everyone!

3. Promote Local Suppliers: Support local businesses to reduce carbon footprints and boost the economy.

Quick Question!

We’d love to know how today’s Focus resonated with you! Your feedback helps us make each issue even better. 😊