At a recent debate on procurement at the Plaid Cymru conference in Brecon, FMB Wales called for a new public procurement policy to support the small businesses at the heart of the Welsh construction economy.

Richard Jenkins, FMB Wales Director, said: "The vast majority of contractors in Wales are small or micro businesses. However, framework agreements and the 'bundling' of contracts make it much harder for these small contractors to win public sector work regardless of their skills and experience. In these extremely difficult economic times, this approach is short sighted. Instead we need to make full use of our most influential financial lever, which is the public sector contract pot."

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Mr Jenkins continued: "We welcome Plaid Cymru's support for the McClelland recommendations and full support for a buy-local procurement policy. There are still obstacles in the procurement process which stifle the opportunities for smaller businesses to deliver expert, sustainable work for the public sector and we urge the Welsh Government to tackle these obstacles head on and deliver a public procurement policy that works for small businesses in Wales."

(CD)