BASILDON South and East Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe took to the floor of the House of Commons to ask the Minister for Cabinet Office to support local businesses in the borough.
He said: “I thank my right hon. Friend the Minister for his answer. Following his earlier comments, I seek assurance that small and medium-sized enterprises in my constituency can access Government contracts. Can he give me any examples of practical help now or in future that would make that easier to achieve?
Francis Maude (Minister for the Cabinet Office; Horsham, Conservative) replied:
“We certainly hope that that will be the case. It is our aspiration that 25% of Government contracts should end up in the small and medium-sized sector.
“We are committed to publishing online, in an easily accessible form, all Government tender documents. That will make it much easier for small businesses, which can otherwise be put off the process, to take part”.
