The engineering design consultancy sector today applauded the Government’s commitment to UK SMEs, notably the championing of further measures to eliminate late payment. 

Today’s suite of announcements includes the first Government-backed SME strategy in more than a decade and is a direct reflection of current small and medium sized business’ concerns across the UK. 

Director of Policy at ACE Group, Marie-Claude Hemming, said: "Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and the engineering design and consultancy sector is no exception. It is now clear that Government has listened and acted for SMEs at the forefront of infrastructure delivery.  

"Alongside Government's commitment to £725bn for infrastructure investment and a 10-year Infrastructure Strategy, today’s announcement will create opportunities for SMEs in the small engineering design and consultancy space to grow their capability and help deliver the homes and infrastructure the UK needs.  

"To drive success, clients across both the public and private sectors must also play their part by proactively creating access for SMEs to these opportunities.  

"The scourge of late payments continues to plague our industry. It is imperative that the new proposals work for the infrastructure sector and stamp out poor behaviour once and for all. 

"Today’s announcements will not be a panacea for all SME problems. However, we look forward to working with Government over the coming months and years to ensure the SME agenda remains at the heart of policy making."