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Scotland is introducing new public procurement rules to help small and medium-sized enterprises compete better for public sector contracts. With the Cabinet Office looking to do the same for social enterprise, Whitehall is understood to be studying the proposals closely. Addressing the third annual Scottish Public Procurement conference last week, cabinet secretary for finance and sustainable growth, John Swinney, announced a change to the Scottish Government's contract rules to allow suppliers to use an intermediary to raise finance without prior permission. ‘We can make a significant contribution to sustainable economic growth by reducing barriers to public contracts and making it easier to do business,' Mr Swinney said. ‘This Government listens, and this is a good example of what can be achieved when we listen carefully to the views of our regulatory advisers in business.' He continued: ‘I am determined that procurement reform will deliver results. Let me send a clear message. Individuals or public organisations which prefer not to collaborate on contracts, e-procurement, best practice and policy will be expected to be able to justify their position on objective business grounds.' A Federation of Small Business (FSB) spokesman said the move would ensure more local authority contracts went to small and medium-sized enterprises. Andrew Watson of FSB Scotland added the announcement was a clear sign the Scottish Government was leading the public sector in opening up more ‘choice and opportunities' for small businesses. ‘Removing unnecessary restrictions like this can make a real difference,' he added. The announcement comes on the heels of Supply2.Gov, a Government-backed portal in England and Wales, launched last year and designed to give companies access to lower-value local government contracts. An FSB spokesman said it needed to be made compulsory for councils to advertise contracts on the site, and better advertising to small businesses was also necessary.

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BUSINESS

Scots lead the way to procurement reform

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