For the first time, government departments have set individual targets for how much they will spend with small and medium-sized businesses (SME). In total, the government plans to spend £7.4 billion a year with SMEs by 2028.
The targets are part of the government’s Plan for Small Business and aim to help businesses and the economy grow.
To hold government departments accountable, they will be required to publish yearly progress updates. Departments that fall behind will need to show how they will improve.
Small Business Minister Blair McDougall said: “These new targets will ensure thousands of smaller businesses have greater opportunity to win lucrative government contracts and grow their businesses.”
The UK jobs market showed fresh signs of strain in the latest labour market figures, published by the Office for National Statistics on 18 August 2026.
Those who have turned their hobby into a side hustle are being reminded by HMRC that their income from these activities may be taxable.