For the first time, government departments have set individual targets for how much they will spend with small and medium-sized businesses (SME). In total, the government plans to spend £7.4 billion a year with SMEs by 2028.
The targets are part of the government’s Plan for Small Business and aim to help businesses and the economy grow.
To hold government departments accountable, they will be required to publish yearly progress updates. Departments that fall behind will need to show how they will improve.
Small Business Minister Blair McDougall said: “These new targets will ensure thousands of smaller businesses have greater opportunity to win lucrative government contracts and grow their businesses.”
Last week marked a 4.8% rise in both the basic and new State Pensions. This could mean an additional £575 annually for many pensioners.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) recently released a research paper on how small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) view electronic invoicing, also called e-invoicing.