Contracts boost for small businesses

Small businesses in Rochdale now have free access to thousands of lower value government contracts on the Government’s website www.supply2.gov.uk.

The fee that was previously charged to search the site across the UK will now be removed, providing firms with better access to public sector contracts to help their businesses grow.

Business Minister Shriti Vadera said: “Small businesses are facing significant pressure in this downturn and new contracts are essential for their return to growth.

“We want to support small businesses by making it easier to access the thousands of Government procurement opportunities that are directly relevant to them.

“This free service is an interim step along the way to introducing a single website for all public sector contracts next year.”

Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Ian Pearson said: "Small and medium sized businesses are a crucial part of the UK economy and in these challenging times it is essential that we support them in as many ways as possible.

"By introducing a free to use national search service we are helping to create a level playing field on which SMEs can compete with their larger counterparts. This will realise benefits for SMEs, the economy as a whole, and help drive further innovation in public services.

Chris Fletcher, Deputy Chief Executive and Policy Director at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: "Greater Manchester Chamber welcomes the announcement making supply2.gov free to search as this will benefit small businesses across our region. Giving businesses better access to Government contracts will help during this challenging period.'

Searching for lower-value contracts across the UK was previously only available as part of a commercial subscription service, which cost up to £180 per year.