SMEs should get more public sector contracts, says MP Priti Patel
Witham MP Priti Patel has called on the Government to remove the barriers that prevent small and medium sized enterprises from securing public sector contracts. Speaking during questions to Cabinet Office Ministers, Priti raised the need for innovative SMEs to be supported so they can bid fairly for public sector contracts. Priti said:
“The whole public sector with its spending power must be proactive in providing opportunities to SMEs are they can provide higher quality and more efficient services. Changes since 2010 have helped SMEs but progress must be accelerated and more needs to be done. The collapse of Carillion reminds us that the dominance of a small number of big players means that SMEs all too often find themselves pushed out of public sector contracts.”
“Contract design needs to change to help our SMEs, many of whom are innovative and can provide higher quality services, secure more contracts directly. Leaving SMEs at the mercy of sub-contracting opportunities from the big firms that win contracts can carry more risks like with what happened with Carillion. SMEs also need help with financing and being able to access contract opportunities. We have many fantastic SMEs in this part of Essex and they should be able to compete to win public sector contracts and deliver services.”