Medium-sized construction companies can play a role in driving the economy and working in partnership with the public sector, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

The FMB has called on the Government to embrace the role SME's can play in delivering the Prime Minister David Cameron's economic vision.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: "Smaller companies can play a vital role in delivering the Government's ambitions for a 'smarter state'. Small construction firms boost local growth and job creation, and train the majority of new apprentices in the industry.


"However, smaller firms are often put at a huge disadvantage when it comes to crucial areas such as public tendering and delivery of new housing. When the Prime Minister says 'what energises many markets are new insurgent companies, who break monopolies and bring in new ways of doing things' this is especially true of the house building industry."

In addition, Mr Berry welcomed Government plans to for further land release.

"The plans to put Ministry of Defence land, Government and local council buildings put up for sale with planning permissions already granted is exactly the kind of welcome move which can provide opportunities for small firms and new entrants, as it the decision to accelerate the sale of public land for development," he said.

(LM)