Scotland’s Supplier Development Programme (SDP) provides free training for SMEs to help them bid for public sector work. Scotland spends £11 billion annually in the public sector. The SDP programme manager has given official evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee’s Consultation on “Construction and Scotland’s Economy.” She says “… there is significant frustration expressed by SMEs to the Supplier Development Programme regarding the complexities in public procurement practices, particularly in the construction sector. SDP has submitted a number of suggestions to the Scottish Parliament in the hope that changes will be made at a strategic level to help struggling Scottish small businesses into working with the public sector and its supply chain.” Read more here.