Suppliers will be excluded from major government contracts if they cannot demonstrate fair and effective payment practices with their sub-contractors, under a package of tough new measures announced by the U.K. government. The measures are designed to level the playing field for small businesses bidding on government contracts.
Other plans include allowing sub-contractors to have greater access to buying authorities to report poor payment performance, signalling the government’s commitment to improving payment practice in the United Kingdom. Further requirements mean suppliers will have to advertise sub-contracting opportunities through the Contracts Finder website, and to provide the government with data showing how businesses in their supply chain, including small businesses, are benefiting from supplying to central government.
