What the guidance covers
Following the March 2026 reform package, new guidance is being developed for central government bodies procuring in strategically important sectors, including steel, shipbuilding, artificial intelligence and energy infrastructure. It addresses when national security exemptions can be used to secure supply.
A new shipbuilding framework
A dedicated shipbuilding framework is being developed to ensure government contracts stay with British firms where necessary for security or strategic reasons. This signals a broader direction: strategic sectors are increasingly being treated as a category apart from standard competitive procurement.
What suppliers in these sectors should do
If you operate in steel, shipbuilding, AI or energy infrastructure supply chains, review how your current contracts and bids reference national security or strategic supply considerations. Buyers applying these exemptions will expect suppliers to understand the framework, not just benefit from it.
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