THE MP for West Devon and Torridge has welcomed the reforms being made to government procurement, which will boost opportunities and ensure a level playing field for the many small and medium sized enterprises within his constituency.

MP Geoffrey Cox has long campaigned for more to be done to assist SMEs in rural areas such as West Devon and Torridge, and says the government's aim that 25 per cent by value of direct and indirect government procurement will go to SMEs by the end of this parliament is a step in the right direction.

To enable this change, a number of initiatives have been introduced, including Contracts Finder (http://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder">www.gov.uk/contracts-finder), a one-stop shop which lists online all procurement opportunities, tender documents and contracts over £10,000; the elimination of Pre-Qualification Questionnaires in 15 out of 17 government departments for procurements below £100,000; and the introduction of faster payments, meaning that undisputed invoices are now paid within five days to help SMEs manage cash flow.

Mr Cox said: 'These changes should make bidding for government contracts more appealing to the many SMEs within Torridge and West Devon, and I would encourage them to go ahead and explore this option.

'The reform is already proving successful and has to date increased direct spend with SMEs from 6.5 per cent in 2009-10 to 10.5 per cent in 2013-13.

'I am also pleased to say that there are further plans in place to ensure that the wider public sector also supports growth through procuring with SMEs, and there is an intention to introduce reforms covering local government and other public sector organisations.'