To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he plans to take to ease the procedures for tendering and procurement between Government departments and (a) social enterprises and (b) small- and medium-sized enterprises. (230228)

The Government's policy on SMEs and third sector organisations (including social enterprises) is to encourage and support these organisations to compete for public sector contracts where this is consistent with value for money policy, the UK regulations, the EU treaty principles and the EU procurement directives.

The OGC has developed guidance to help procurers engage with these organisations within the legal and policy framework surrounding public procurement. Budget 2008 asked Anne Glover to lead a committee looking into what further work is needed to remove barriers. The recommendations of that committee will be published in the pre-Budget report.