To support SMEs to innovate and to continue to grow, we recommend that multi-year framework contracts are available for SMEs in the sectors in which the state is the biggest customer, such as defence and life sciences. We also recommend that the Government set a target for how much of public procurement spend is direct spend to SMEs. (Recommendation, Paragraph 71)

To support SMEs to innovate and to continue to grow, we recommend that multi-year framework contracts are available for SMEs in the sectors in which the state is the biggest customer, such as defence and life sciences. We also recommend that the Government set a target for how much of public procurement spend is direct spend to SMEs. (Recommendation, Paragraph 71) Type: recommendation | Number: 12 | Response status: partially_accepted Government response: 7.1. For SMEs, the Procurement Act (2023), which came into force in February 2025, and National Procurement Policy Statement include a suite of measures including requiring all central government departments and their arms length bodies to set 3-year targets for direct spend with SMEs from 1 April 2