Micro-businesses given public sector boost

Small business group fights corner of SMEs to help them win 30 per cent of public sector contracts

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on the Glover Review to ensure all small businesses are in with a chance of winning at least 30 per cent of all public sector contracts.

Responding to the government’s drive to improve small firms’ access to public sector contracts, the FSB has welcomed the target set but has called for proposals to be implemented to ensure it is aimed at the micro end of the SME market.

The FSB is calling on the Glover Review to ensure small businesses benefit from having the minimum of three weeks for a tender response, for local authorities to hold tender briefing meetings with local micro businesses and to allow small firms to complete a Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire (PQQ) just once.

Clive Davenport, FSB trade and industry chairman, said: “The FSB believes that with a target in place, efforts can be implemented to achieving the goal, rather than discussing whether there should be one. Small businesses offer great value to communities and by using small businesses, money is kept in the local economy.

“We are pleased that the government is investigating small businesses and procurement. What we would like to see now, is targets to be implemented to ensure small businesses win public sector contracts and reduce the barriers small businesses face.”