WIREDGOV

All this week we will be focusing on SMEs and public sector procurement. Find out how you can get involved! 

"The UK needs a Government that is dedicated to championing and fighting for the little guys, who have created an incredible 66% of the two million jobs new in the economy since 2010. There's a huge opportunity for the UK to become a poster child of world-leading Small & Medium Business policy, and really set the pace for what a government can achieve to support entrepreneurial growth."

- Stephen Kelly, CEO of techUK member Sage

We kicked off our SME week yesterday with the focus on the Public Sector Procurement market. We have a dedicated section on our website where you can access a host of useful information to help you get a better understanding of the public sector tech market.

The UK Government, quite rightly, recognises the need to open up its supply base so that it can access the very best and most innovative technology at the best prices. In March 2011 the Prime Minister set out a target of 25% of spend to be awarded to SMEs either directly or indirectly. In August this year, Minister for the Cabinet Office Matt Hancock announced that target was being increased to 33% - a clear signal of just how important SMEs are to the government's strategy.

Whilst real progress has been achieved over the last five years in making it easier for SMEs to do business with government, there is still some way to go. techUK's recent survey with nearly 1,000 civil servants showed that only 21% agreed there was an appetite from their departments to procure more from SMEs, with the majority unsure or disagreeing. Our survey also showed 44% of civil servants felt they had access to a limited range of suppliers. Through this week, we will focus on the issue that are holding back Government from building a strong and rich ecosystem of technology excellence in the UK. As Stephen Kelly, CEO Sage notes in his guest blog to kick off our SME week, there is a huge opportunity for UK plc.

How you can get involved!

Sign up for one of our events below. Both sessions will be live-streamed, if you can't make it or if you are not based in London.

SME report launch on 3 November 2015: We publish the findings of our recent survey of SMEs. We have some fascinating insights to share along with a great speaker line up, including, Sally Collier, the CEO of the Crown Commercial service.

#SMETownHall on 11 November 2015: Maureen Hewlett, Senior Commercial Lead on Universal Credit, DWP and Tony Singleton, Director, Digital Commercial Programme, GDS. The theme looks at how large scale IT projects like UC can create opportunities for SMEs and the role the Digital Marketplace plays in enabling that.

Social Media: Join the debate or start your own on social media using #BreakingTheBarriers

Useful Links: Doing business with government: guide for SMEs