United Kingdom

FRC Launches SME Discussion Forum for FRS 102 Preparers

The FRC has launched a new discussion forum for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) stakeholders to share insights on applying FRS 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The forum will meet online twice yearly to discuss feedback from applying FRS 102 in practice and FRC consultations on updates to UK and Ireland accounting standards. Interested parties should contact the FRC by Friday 8 May 2026 to join the first cohort.

Virtual Wards Software, Barts Health NHS Trust, £240,000

Barts Health NHS Trust has published a preliminary market engagement notice under the Procurement Act 2023 for virtual wards software. The estimated contract value is £200,000 excluding VAT (£240,000 including VAT), with an anticipated start date of 1 July 2026 and end date of 30 June 2027, with a possible extension to 30 June 2029. The notice encourages participation from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs). The engagement deadline for enquiries is 13 April 2026.

Outpatient Pharmacy Dispensing Services, Barts Health NHS Trust, £6M

Barts Health NHS Trust published a tender notice for outpatient pharmacy dispensing services under the Procurement Act 2023. The estimated contract value is £6,000,000 for a 5-year term from November 2026. Suppliers must submit tenders electronically by 18 May 2026 at 12:00pm.

CommonPlace Renewal - Central Bedfordshire Council - £70,800

Central Bedfordshire Council has awarded a £70,800 contract to Commonplace Digital Ltd for renewal of its CommonPlace community engagement platform. The contract runs from 13 April 2026 to 31 March 2028. The procurement was conducted below the relevant threshold without competition, as permitted under the Procurement Act 2023 transparency framework.

SEND Mediation Services £330k UK Procurement

London Borough of Southwark published a preliminary market engagement notice under the Procurement Act 2023 for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Mediation Services. The estimated contract value is £330,000 including VAT, with contract dates from January 2027 to January 2030 (possible extension to 2032). The engagement deadline is 22 April 2026 via Microsoft Teams presentation on procurement strategy. This notice welcomes participation from SMEs and VCSE organisations.

Moorland Plug Plants Framework Contract Award, £276k, Peak District

Peak District National Park Authority has awarded a contract for the supply and delivery of moorland plug plants under framework MFF163-01 (2025-2031) to MICROPROPAGATION SERVICES (E.M.) LIMITED. The contract is valued at £276,000 including VAT over the approximately 11-month period from April 2026 to March 2027. The framework covers up to 4,000,000 plug plants over six years across North West England, Yorkshire, and the East Midlands regions.

MFF163 2025-2031 Open Framework for Moorland Plug Plants, Peak District

Peak District National Park Authority published a contract details notice under the Procurement Act 2023 for a 6-year open framework agreement (2025-2031) for the supply and delivery of up to 4,000,000 moorland plug plants. Delivery sites are within the Peak District National Park and South Pennines SAC. Tenders will be evaluated 30% on price and 70% on quality criteria including experience and technical capability.

Armed Asset Tracking Solution £255k Contract Awarded to Airbox Systems

The Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (Metropolitan Police) has awarded a £255,735 contract to Airbox Systems for Armed Asset Tracking Solution services. The contract covers single sign-on licences for situational awareness and surveillance operations rooms, awarded as a call-off from the PDS National Police Framework (PDS-108-2020). The two-year contract with optional extensions to four years total was awarded without prior publication of a call for competition as it falls outside standard procurement regulations.

Muon Technical De-risking Programme Contract Modification - £240,000

The UK National Nuclear Laboratory has issued a contract change notice under the Procurement Act 2023 for the Muon Technical De-risking Programme. The contract with Lynkeos Technology Limited has been modified with the value increasing from £187,995.77 (excluding VAT) to £240,000 (including VAT), representing a 6.39% increase above the relevant procurement threshold. The modification, effective 19 February 2026, provides for additional goods and services beyond the original project work packages.

Five New UK Trade Mark Opposition and Invalidity Decisions Published

UKIPO published five new trade mark opposition and invalidity decisions on 7-8 April 2026. The decisions include two Frasers Group matters covering 22 trademarks (invalidity and opposition), a biofirefuel figurative mark opposition, a Scotland's Golf Coast invalidity decision, and a Dreamzie trademark opposition. Decision references O/0301/26 through O/0305/26 are listed with corresponding hearing officers and application numbers.