New procurement rules have been announced by the Cabinet Office, with the aim of helping SMEs win increased business within the local public sector, as the government seeks to improve competition and savings through SME service tenders.

A consultation will be run until mid-October, regarding the proposed changes to increase the numbers of SMEs in public procurement, and reduce the dominance of large traditional firms.

Cabinet Office minster Chloë Smith, said: “With £230 billion per year spent on goods and services right across the whole public sector, government wants to seize the opportunity to help hard-working SMEs”.

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