For the first time, government departments have set individual targets for how much they will spend with small and medium-sized businesses (SME). In total, the government plans to spend £7.4 billion a year with SMEs by 2028.
The targets are part of the government’s Plan for Small Business and aim to help businesses and the economy grow.
To hold government departments accountable, they will be required to publish yearly progress updates. Departments that fall behind will need to show how they will improve.
Small Business Minister Blair McDougall said: “These new targets will ensure thousands of smaller businesses have greater opportunity to win lucrative government contracts and grow their businesses.”
If your company is involved in processing Overseas Workday Relief (OWR) elections and claims for 2025-26 Self Assessment tax returns, you might be facing problems.
Here are our top 25 changes that businesses should note from John Healey's first budget. Some of those listed may have already been announced but are now confirmed in the Autumn Budget.