UKFT welcomes the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS), which outlines the UK Government’s strategic priorities for public procurement, aiming to support economic growth and strengthen supply chains by increasing opportunities for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs).

To implement this, all central government departments, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) must set a three-year direct spend target for SMEs (from April 2025) and a two-year target for VCSEs (from April 2026), with annual reporting. The Procurement Act 2023 introduces reforms to ease SME access to public contracts, including reducing entry barriers, improving visibility of opportunities and enforcing 30-day payment terms. Departments must ensure compliance, with targets approved by ministers and reported publicly.

Why we are calling for the reform of UK procurement rules to support domestic manufacturing

The National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) sets out the UK Government’s strategic priorities for public procurement, aiming to drive economic growth, strengthen supply chains and enhance national resilience.

Post-Brexit, UKFT believes there is a unique opportunity to go even further to reform procurement rules to prioritise UK manufacturers – particularly in advanced sectors like technical textiles – ensuring government contracts support domestic industry, innovation and jobs across the four nations of the UK.

Learning from the US: The Berry Amendment

One key example of procurement policy driving domestic industry is the Berry Amendment in the United States. Enacted in 1941, this legislation requires the US Department of Defense to source specific goods, including textiles and clothing, from domestic manufacturers. This policy has been instrumental in safeguarding the US industrial base, securing jobs and maintaining supply chain resilience. By adopting a similar approach, the UK could ensure that vital sectors, such as technical textiles and advanced manufacturing, receive sustained investment through government procurement.

Supporting technical textiles in the UK

Technical textiles are essential across multiple industries, including defence, healthcare and construction. UK manufacturers have demonstrated their ability to innovate and scale up production when needed.

Pincroft: New Printer Unveiling (L-R) John Vareldzis (CEO), Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Maria Eagle MP, Mike Collins (MD).

For instance, Pincroft recently expanded its military printing capabilities, strengthening the UK’s defence supply chain. This investment ensures that the armed forces have access to high-quality, domestically produced camouflage textiles, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.

Northumbria Healthcare Manufacturing Hub

Similarly, during the first wave of Covid, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust faced critical PPE shortages and, in partnership with Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management  (NHFM), established a PPE manufacturing service to produce gowns, scrubs, and theatre hoods. Initially working with local manufacturers, they rapidly scaled up, opening a factory in May 2020 and expanding nationwide by October, producing 2.2 million gowns. The gowns met rigorous HSE quality standards and were refined through healthcare worker feedback. This initiative not only ensured NHS supply security but also revived textile manufacturing in the North East, creating jobs, supporting the local economy, and reinvesting profits into patient care.

Expanding such initiatives through procurement reforms would bolster the UK’s self-sufficiency in critical manufacturing sectors.

The case for procurement reform

Reforming procurement rules to prioritise UK manufacturers aligns with the NPPS’s goals of economic growth and supply chain resilience. Key measures should include:

• Introducing a UK manufacturing preference policy: Similar to the Berry Amendment, this would mandate the use of UK-made products in key sectors such as defence, healthcare and infrastructure.
• Setting domestic content requirements: Ensuring that a percentage of government contracts go to UK-based suppliers would create stability and encourage long-term investment.
• Improving transparency and market access: SMEs and advanced manufacturers should have greater visibility of upcoming procurement opportunities, with reduced bureaucratic barriers to entry.
• Mandating long-term contracts: Secure, multi-year government contracts would provide businesses with the confidence to invest in new technologies and workforce development.

Strengthening the UK’s industrial future

By leveraging public procurement to support domestic manufacturing, the UK can create high-skilled jobs, drive innovation, and build a resilient economy. The examples of Pincroft and Northumbria Healthcare demonstrate the capacity and agility of British manufacturers when given the right support. Now is the time for the government to act, ensuring that taxpayer-funded procurement works for UK businesses, strengthens national security and delivers long-term economic benefits.

That’s why we are calling on industry leaders, policymakers and stakeholders to advocate for procurement reforms that prioritise UK manufacturing. By taking decisive action now, we believe we can secure a stronger, more self-reliant industrial future for the UK.