Government and Public Sector news, December 2025
Legal insights, news and events from DWF's Government and Public Sector team delivered monthly to your inbox.
DWF monthly insight:
DWF 2025 Procurement Round-Up: Driving Transformation Across the Public Sector: 2025 has been a landmark year for DWF's Public Sector team and Procurement Centre of Excellence, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted partner for central and local government, and strategic suppliers to government. Alongside our re-appointment to the Central Government Legal Panel (RM6360) for another 4-year term, the team has advised on shaping the future of AI contracts in the public sector, modernising Armed Forces recruitment, procuring many of the biggest outsourcing contracts in the UK and the most complex regeneration projects conducted by Local Authorities. Our Procurement Centre of Excellence has advised on in excess of £15 billion of works, services and supplies procured in the UK. View >
Hillsborough Law: A new era of accountability for local authorities: This article explores the Hillsborough Law, born from decades of campaigning following the Hillsborough disaster, which introduces new legal obligations that will reshape transparency, accountability, and ethical standards across the public sector, including local authorities. View >
Budget 2025: Initial tax analysis: Our UK Tax and Private Capital team, in collaboration with our Employment and Pensions colleagues, has taken an initial look at some of the key tax announcements of the 2025 budget. View >
UK Government backs recommendations by the New Towns Taskforce: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has confirmed it will progress work on the next generation of new towns across England. The update follows publication of an independent report by the New Towns Taskforce, which recommends twelve prospective locations for large-scale development. View >
CMA recommends the application of public procurement to transform UK markets: In this article, we examine the CMA’s recommendations on harnessing public procurement to transform UK markets, which stems from the Cabinet Office’s consultation on developments in the public procurement sector to enhance the UK’s economy. View >
Supreme Court clarifies VAT rules for public bodies: A recent Supreme Court decision narrows the occasions when public bodies, such as NHS Trusts, are not required to charge VAT on services like car parking. View >
Government U-turn on day-one unfair dismissal protection: The Government has reversed its manifesto commitment to grant all employees the right to claim unfair dismissal from day-one of employment. View >
Digital dialogue, legal consequences: The Court of Appeal’s guidance in DAZN v Coupang: This article analyses the Court of Appeal’s ruling in DAZN v Coupang, highlighting how informal digital communications can form legally binding contracts. View >
Implied good faith: Ellis v Benson as turning point in UK franchising: In this article, we examine the High Court’s landmark decision in Ellis v Benson, which introduces an implied duty of good faith into franchise agreements.
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Hillsborough Law and Parity of Arms: An inquest milestone: In this article, we dive deeper into the Hillsborough Law, and specifically one of its most transformative provisions: the commitment to Parity of Arms. View >
DWF supports Westmorland and Furness Council on new Revenues and Benefits system: DWF has advised Westmorland and Furness Council on the successful procurement of its new Revenue and Benefits system to assist in administering Revenues and Benefits across the Westmorland and Furness Council area. View >
DWF employment experts comment on the latest labour market figures: In this article, our employment experts give their insights into the latest labour market figures. View >
Other news:
Scottish Government and Cross-Border Procurements: The Scottish Government has released draft regulations (The Cross-Border Public Procurement (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2025) following the enactment of the Procurement Act 2023. View >
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology: AI is set to power national renewal as the government announces billions of additional investment and new plans to boost UK businesses, jobs and innovation.
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Competition and Markets Authority: The Competition and Markets Authority has launched a major consumer protection drive focused on online pricing practices. View >
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Outdated funding formulas that penalised deprived areas for decades are being scrapped, so local people finally get the vital public services they deserve. View >
