The government wants to hear from smaller businesses on ways of helping SMEs win more public sector contracts.

As part of the Enterprise Strategy announced in the Budget, the government set up a review, headed by Anne Glover, to look at increasing the opportunities that smaller firms have of picking up public sector work.

The aim is to see if it is practical in the future to award 30 per cent of all government business to SMEs.

To give SMEs a better chance when tendering for government contracts, the review committee is inviting small firms, public purchasers and industry groups to share their experiences of doing business across both central government and local authorities.

The Glover review will consider issues such as improved tendering procedures, better information for SMEs and reducing the barriers SMEs may face when competing for public sector contracts.

Anne Glover, who is CEO of Amadeus Capital Partners, said: “SMEs play a vital role in the UK’s economy and it is important that we make it as easy as possible for them to participate in public sector procurement. An order is more valuable than a grant to an SME because it holds the promise of future business.

“The public sector spends around £160 billion a year on goods and services, and SMEs offer the opportunity to contribute both innovation and value for money to the Government’s agenda to deliver world class public services.”

Firms can submit their experiences and views at http://www.ogc.gov.uk/SME_Consultation.asp

The consultation closes on 8 August.