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.”
A High Court order has confirmed that Emma Sleep, a mattress seller, behaved illegally and broke consumer law by using misleading countdown timers, false ‘high demand’ messages and ‘discount claims’.
You have the idea, the energy, and maybe even your first customers. So why slow down to write a business plan? It can seem like something banks ask for, but not something that really helps you run your business.