January 24, 2006
FSB calls for fair play in Olympics contracts
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) today called on the culture secretary Tessa Jowell to ensure that SMEs were fully involved in the London Olympics of 2012.
The FSB's National Chairman, Carol Undy, said that procurement contracts for the games should be broken down in to "bite sized" chunks to allow for a level playing field for small firms bidding to supply the games and regeneration projects in East London.
"The Olympics in London will be a boost for business across the UK. Procurement contracts for the games should be as open as possible because competition will ensure the best value for the event," said Ms Undy.
"The games are an opportunity for the whole country to put on a show for the world and it is therefore vital that we are all allowed to play our part. Small firms have a lot to contribute to the 2012 games and we call on the government to ensure that fair play extends to supplying and building the games as much as it will to competing in them."
She added that it was also important the government kept a close eye on payment times for the various contracts, saying similar work and delays in payment relating to the Millennium Dome project should not happen again.