Small UK business owners are unable to access contracts in the public sector, a committee of MPs has claimed, despite large firms failing to offer value for money. more»

A government clampdown on “disguised employment” in the public sector was the dominant contributor to a 10.5 per cent fall in startup formations in 2017, according to new analysis. more»

Around 200 new suppliers are signing up to the government’s Contracts Finder portal every week in search of public procurement opportunities, with small firms leading the charge. more»

The UK government has billions to spend with private sector through public procurement contracts, so how can smaller businesses get a share of the pie? more»

The government has announced a series of reforms to change the way its contracted aid suppliers operate, pledging more opportunities for small UK businesses to enter the procurement process. more»

Almost half of government digital spending for public sector services is now with small technology businesses, according to official statistics, despite overall SME procurement opportunities seemingly in decline. more»

Small businesses continue to face an uphill struggle to win public sector contracts, meaning that government targets for SME public procurement are unlikely to be met. more»

Building a reputation is particularly challenging in a competitive marketplace reliant on the backing of the public sector, in which everyone is trying to get noticed for providing cost-effective offerings. more»

Public sector contractors seeking IR35 advice from HMRC received incorrect information from the tax office’s call centre, according to an organisation representing Britain’s contracted workers. more»

Since new public sector IR35 rules came into effect on 6 April, freelancers and contractors working in the public sector must be very careful that they are not caught by IR35 and open to a damaging tax hit. more»