Public matters: May 2026

29 May 2026

First case under the Procurement Act 2023

The first judgment under the Procurement Act 2023 makes it harder for contracting authorities to lift automatic suspensions during procurement challenges, with implications for incumbents and public bodies alike.

Read the case summary

Electrical safety checks: New rules for social landlords

Mandatory electrical safety inspections now apply to all social housing tenancies in England, with a November 2026 deadline for existing stock and penalties of up to £40,000 for non-compliance.

What social landlords need to know

Freeports: The UK's forgotten inward investment opportunity

UK Freeports are quietly delivering on their promise. With tax relief windows closing from 2031, businesses and local authorities that fail to engage now risk missing powerful inward investment opportunities.

Opportunities for the public and private sector

CPO reform part 1: Electronic Service of Notices, confirming authority and GVD advancement

The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 has delivered the most significant overhaul of compulsory purchase law in recent years. Acquiring authorities need to act now to take advantage of new powers on electronic service, self-confirmation and flexible vesting dates.

What acquiring authorities need to know

CPO reform part 2: Newspaper notices, expedited procedure and temporary possession

Part 2 of our CPO reform series examines further changes under the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, including simplified newspaper notices, an expedited six-week vesting procedure and new general power of temporary possession that is yet to come into force.

Further changes for acquiring authorities

Making neighbourhood working work

Neighbourhood working is no longer a policy aspiration but an operational reality, and public sector leaders who invest early in practical governance, data-sharing and shared outcomes will be best placed to close the gap between vision and delivery.

Tips for public sector leaders

Making UK Infrastructure Investable

The UK's £725bn infrastructure ambition cannot be delivered without private capital. We've partnered with the CBI on a new report which sets out how a modernised, outcome-led public-private partnership framework can unlock that investment without repeating the mistakes of PFI.

Download the report

Events

Public Sector Planning Club: Nottingham

18 June 2026, 9am-1.30pm, Browne Jacobson Nottingham office

Our planning team is hosting a roundtable session in Nottingham for local planning authority professionals to discuss the issues that matter most, alongside our lawyers and peers from other authorities.

Public sector employment matters

ERA 2025: Consultation on preventing misuse of non-disclosure agreements

The Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA 2025) will provide that any provision in a non-disclosure agreement which seeks to prevent a worker speaking out about harassment or discrimination will be void.

ERA 2025: Equality action plans

The ERA 2025 will require employers with 250 or more employees to publish equality action plans addressing the gender pay gap and menopause support. Voluntary reporting already live for employers to act now.

How employers can act now

ERA 2025: New trade union right of access

The ERA 2025 will give independent trade unions a new statutory right to access workplaces, and with the right expected to come into force in October 2026, employers of 21 or more workers should start preparing now.

Implications for employers

TUPE call for evidence

The government's call for evidence on TUPE signals potentially significant reform ahead. With the deadline of 1 July 2026 approaching, employers who regularly deal with transfers have a timely opportunity to shape the future of the framework.

Discover more about the TUPE reforms

Recent ruling on conditional offers

A recent Employment Appeal Tribunal ruling confirms that conditional job offers can still create binding contracts. Its a timely warning for public sector employers to review their offer letter wording, conditions and notice provisions.

Lessons for the public sector

Mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting

The government has confirmed its commitment to mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting for employers with 250 or more employees. While a timetable is yet to be confirmed, employers should start reviewing their data collection practices.

How employers can prepare