SMEs at a disadvantage when it comes to winning public sector contracts

According to a new report by House of Commons All Party Parliamentary Small Business Group (APPSBG), small and medium-sized businesses are disadvantaged when it comes to winning public sector contracts by complex, expensive and outdated tender processes,

The report - supported by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) - recommends that the government does more to remove barriers that are preventing SMEs from winning public sector contracts

"The procedures and practices used in many tenders disadvantage SMEs over larger companies. Many small businesses and contractors believe that days spent preparing tenders with a low probability of success are better spent earning, and therefore do not bid for public work all," said Professor Robin Jarvis, head of ACCA's small business unit.

www.ukba.co.uk