星空传媒

Nigel Griffiths has been named as the latest Labour minister to take responsibility for the construction industry. His role, minister for small business and enterprise, includes the Small Business Service, GM foods, social enterprise, export control and non-proliferation, the construction industry and consumer goods and services.

This glut of responsibility is a far cry from the days of construction minister, Nick Raynsford, whose sole responsibility was to the industry. The appointment does however throw together construction and small businesses in what John Nelson, executive secretary of the SEC Group, calls a "very interesting linkage".

Nelson continues: "The SEC Group view has always been that SMEs and construction each warrant a dedicated minister. However, 90% of construction firms employ less than ten people, so if this link can benefit them I wish it success."

Outgoing minister for energy, construction and the environment, Brian Wilson, was praised by Hewitt: "Brian leaves behind a strong legacy including an energy policy based on low carbon and energy from sustainable sources and the strengthened oil and gas industries, each of which owe much to his support and work."

The SEC Group has welcomed a report into the difficulties that SMEs experience when tendering for public sector contracts. Undertaken by the Better Regulation Task Force and the Small Business Council, the report identifies various obstacles to the SME: poor payment practices; bundled contracts and framework agreements; a lack of openness about contract opportunities; and pre-qualification processes that demand a vast amount of information.

Recommendations include a common pre-qualification information document for lower value contracts; procurers ensuring good payment practice and fair supply chain treatment; and further research into the exclusionary impact on SMEs of framework agreements and contract packaging.