Outcomes

Scottish Parliament’s Inquiry on the Construction Sector in Scotland

SDP submitted a consultation response to the Scottish Parliament’s Inquiry on the Construction Sector in Scotland in January 2019.

The remit of the Inquiry was to understand the characteristics and challenges of Scotland’s construction sector to ensure the sector realises its full potential in contributing to a productive and inclusive Scottish economy.

Significant frustration has been expressed by SMEs to SDP regarding complexities in public procurement practices, particularly in construction. SDP focused on wider procurement issues, how these create challenges within the construction sector for SMEs, and gave suggestions to encourage changes at a strategic level to break down barriers that could help struggling Scottish SMEs into working with the public sector and its supply chain for end-user benefit.

The final submission came together because of our commitment to improve procurement practice and advocate on behalf of Scottish SMEs - to end the race to the bottom and help them contribute to local wealth creation. The Committee invited the Programme Manager to an oral evidence session at the Scottish Parliament in February 2019. This was SDP’s first official Parliamentary submission and subsequent invitation to give oral evidence.

Read all submissions to the Inquiry on the Scottish Parliament’s website.

Read SDP’s written submission to the Inquiry on the Scottish Parliament’s website.

Read the Official Report of oral evidence on the Scottish Parliament’s website.