Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of steps he has taken to facilitate small and medium-sized enterprises winning government contracts; and if he will make a statement.

The Government is on track to deliver its aspiration of awarding 25% of central government business to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), directly and through the supply chain. We have already substantially reformed the public procurement landscape to level the playing field for suppliers of different sizes and make things easier for all. Further measures that come into force in early 2015 to make public sector business more accessible to SMEs include:

· Ensuring all new contract opportunities are accessible in one place;

· Removing burdensome Pre-Qualification (PQQs) for low vale procurements and standardising PQQs for higher value contracts; and

· Ensuring all suppliers in public sector supply chains are paid promptly.