Today's Queen’s Speech announcing measures to allow zero carbon exemptions for small developers, and new legislation to tackle late payment, will make a meaningful difference to the fortunes of small construction firms and house builders, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: "The legislative programme for the final year of this Parliament shows that the Coalition is far from a so-called 'zombie government'. The small developers' exemption from zero carbon homes regulations will help SME house builders plug the gap in the supply of new homes. The government clearly recognises that the cost implications for smaller developments are much higher than previously estimated and now accepts that it is not sensible to impose the same regulatory burden on SME house builders when at the same time urging them to build more new homes."

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Mr Berry concluded: "I'm also pleased that the Coalition will continue in its ambition to remove the barriers to SMEs that are trying and failing to win public sector contracts. The Small Business, Enterprise an Employment Bill will help improve the current situation where 40% of construction SMEs are failing to win 90% of the contracts they bid for. A vital part of engaging construction SMEs in the public procurement process will be the strengthening of the existing Prompt Payment Code and forcing larger businesses to publish their payment terms to increase transparency on the treatment of SMEs."

(CD/MH)