Sue Robb of 4Children talks to Julie Laughton and Alison Britton from the Department for Education about the role of childminders in delivering the 30 hours free entitlement.
£1 in every £3 for small businesses by 2020
Between 2013 and 2014, the government spent an unprecedented £11.4 billion with small and medium-sized businesses, which comprises of those employing 250 employees or less. This is equivalent to 26 per cent of central government spend.
By 2020, the government wants to increase this to a third. This would mean an extra £3 billion a year going to small and medium-sized firms directly or through the supply chain. Each government department and the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) will now make sure that it meets this target by setting out individual plans and targets for spending with small and medium-sized businesses over the next five years.
John Allan, National Chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “The government has much to gain from opening up public procurement to smaller businesses and we welcome the government’s commitment to achieve this ambitious target.
“To meet it, the government will need to focus on robust monitoring and challenge of poor practices wherever they are found. The FSB will play its part, and will work with ministers on this important goal.”
Minister for the Cabinet Office Matt Hancock said: “This is such an amazing opportunity for the country’s diverse and innovative small businesses, and today I urge them to get stuck in. From computers to uniforms – there are so many opportunities for small businesses to work with us, and I want to see more of them providing value for money for the taxpayer and benefiting from our spending.”
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